State organs reforming, except the police force

Virtually all organs of government are undergoing radical transformation, thanks to the Constitution.

I had a case in a Naivasha court, and to my surprise when the magistrate entered the chamber, he greeted all of us and asked us to feel at home!

This was in contrast to the gloomy courts we had become used to. My case was concluded in record time.

More pleasant surprise awaited me at the cash office where I went for a refund of cash bail.

The cashier was courteous, soft-spoken and took time to explain to me how to claim the refund and I left satisfied. The wheels of justice are gaining impetus.

Not so the police. I went to Naivasha police station to collect the items held as exhibit in my case when I faced the sad reality.

The lethargic officers couldn’t believe my case had been concluded that fast. They thought I had pulled some strings!

They kept me waiting for no apparent reason, perhaps hoping that I would eventually “oil their fingers”.

I presented the court order to an officer who condescendingly said he could not release the items. Reason?

He wanted a court order addressed to him in person! Invoking his two cents worth of legal knowledge, he purported the ruling was erroneous.

Earlier, a relatively junior officer had quipped: “You seem to think that the order from the court is final, don’t you?”

We can only hope that vetting them in future will help us get rid of these rotten apples which may spoil newcomers like the ones set to graduate on Friday.

MBURU GACHIE,

Nakuru