Boinnet rubbishes report on police reforms

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet on Thursday expressed discontent following a report published by a human rights body criticising the ongoing police reforms.

Through police spokesperson Mr Charles Owino the IG took issue with the suggestion that the Administration Police and the Kenya Police should have been merged in line with the creation of the National Police Service.

The report, Audit of the Status of Police Reforms in Kenya, from a University of Nairobi research which was launched on Thursday by the Kenya National Commission for Human Rights (KNCHR) suggested that AP and KP should work as one service contrary to the current arrangement.

“Although the reform process looks impressive on paper, the same is not on the ground. For instance, operationalistaion of the merger on the ground is total failure,” reads the report.

The conclusion was arrived at considering a number of indicators including distinctive police uniforms, police patrols, manning of roadblocks, traffic management, operational bases, uniform colour, mission statements, and recruitment and promotion procedures among others issues.

“Police continue to operate as independent units and even appointment of county commanders has brought in more suspicion as each service continues to use its old command,” reads the report.

Responding to the criticism, Mr Owino who attended the launch said the two services are distinct but under one command as stated in the Constitution.

“Unfortunately the Inspector General does not have kind words. His feeling was that the report does not reflect the reality on the ground. The IG is displeased,” said Mr Owino.

The report suggested that there was supremacy battles between the Administration Police and Kenya Police, a finding that the police spokesperson vehemently denied saying the two services are different and there was no way they could compete each other.

The report questioned the ongoing police vetting process. According to the findings, the respondents felt it was a witch-hunting process since it was mostly based on ‘how police officers acquired their wealth’ and not on other aspects such as professionalism.

Despite citing various successes in the police reform agenda especially administratively, the research found out that there were various pitfalls especially in implementation of legislation.

The report suggested that Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) seemed to overlap with the National Police Service Commission, a suggestion that Mr Owino refuted.

“The public is comfortable reporting some issues to IPOA and we support the establishment,” said Mr Owino

National Police Service Commission commissioner Mr Murshid Mohamed questioned the manner in which the research was conducted since NPSC was not a respondent.

He said some of the tools which the research suggested were lacking in implementing police reforms like schemes of service, job task analyses, performance and procedures followed during promotion were already developed or were in the process of being developed.

“Change does not come immediately. Time is needed for real change to be felt on the ground. Police reforms are multi-thronged and all aspects need to be addressed,” said Mr Mohamed.