Joseph Boinett receives lawmakers’ nod for top police job
Mr Joseph Boinett when he appeared before the joint security committee of the National Assembly and the Senate on February 26, 2015. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA |
What you need to know:
- But Cord MPs and senators question his academic credentials.
- Nominee now awaits formal appointment by Uhuru after which he will be sworn in as the new Inspector-General.
Lawmakers on Wednesday approved the nomination of Mr Joseph Kipchircir Boinett as the new Inspector-General of Police.
Mr Boinett’s nomination was approved by both the Senate and the National Assembly on Wednesday evening, leaving it now to the President to appoint him formally.
The approval of the report of a joint committee from both Houses was preceded by heated debate in the Senate, but it almost received unanimous support in the National Assembly.
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Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, however, opposed the nomination on the basis that the committees that vetted Mr Boinett did not investigate his degree conclusively.
And Mr Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town, ODM) was kicked out of the House for the rest of the sitting after he claimed that heads of security agencies were from one community.
In the Senate, the joint committee’s report was strongly opposed by Cord lawmakers, who poked holes in Mr Boinett’s experience, academic credentials and demeanour.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale (UDF) opened the opposition’s floor, saying:
“Mr Boinett has never held any position of leadership or command in the police service or NIS. This is critical because the man we want to command our police has never held a position of command before.”
The senator argued that Mr Boinett only served for two years in the police service and does not know the work of an OCS, OCPD or a county commander.
“Intelligence officers who have spoken to me say Boinett is an introvert, a poor intelligence analyst who needs a lot of supervision.”
Kitui Senator David Musila (Wiper) also opposed the appointment.
“I cannot support this nomination. Does he have the necessary experience to command as an Inspector-General of Police? This gentleman was with the NIS. Why was he not appointed the NIS director when we were looking for one if he was truly qualified?”
Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ (ODM) also made his maiden speech opposing the candidate.
“We have set the bar too low. This is not an experiment. We brought someone from the hospitality industry to the Interior ministry a few years ago and he has since been forced out of office. If it was my choice I would make him OCPD in Homa Bay instead,” said Mr Kajwang’.
Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya) also opposed the nomination.
