Kibui named Nairobi PPO

By Cyrus Ombati

Nairobi, Kenya: Traffic commandant Benson Kibui has been named the new Provincial Police Officer (PPO) for Nairobi.

He takes over from Mr Anthony Kibuchi who retired three months ago. Inspector General of Police (IGP) David Kimaiyo named Samuel Kimaru the new traffic commandant while Moses Ombati will remain the deputy PPO in charge of Nairobi.

The deputy head of police operations Okello Thwere has been named chief of staff, a new position created in the office of the IGP.

Kibui has in the past served as the commandant of presidential escort unit and PPO Western province.

Kimaiyo has summoned a meeting of the senior police commanders to Nairobi on Tuesday to discuss issues concerning the coming general elections.

Police Commission absent

The changes are likely to be opposed by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), which is on a three-week tour of Britain, Sweden and Norway to familiarize itself on its operations and mandate.

This is because it is the commission, which is supposed to sanction such changes and promotions. The IGP can make the changes of senior officers after being delegated by the commission.

The commissioners left Nairobi on Sunday amid differences with some officials at the Office of the President and office of the IGP over reforms.

The commission says some officials at OP and senior officers are opposed and resistant to changes and are citing coming general elections as an excuse.

They cited Friday’s incident in which the commission was forced to rescind a decision to effect new police ranks, appointments and insignia.

“The OP is trying to run the affairs of police by making appointments and transfers at will without involving the commission as per the law. Police is now independent,” said the commissioners.

OP and IGP argued that some of the officers who were promoted to new offices were junior and could not serve the positions well.

It has emerged prior to the suspension of the changes, the commissioners were summoned to OP where they found members of the National Security Advisory Committee chaired by head of public service Kimemia waiting for them on Friday night.

After deliberations that lasted until 2am Internal security Permanent Secretary Mutea Iringo, Kavuludi and Kimaiyo issued a joint statement saying the changes will be effected after the March elections.

“The service is also prepared to provide the necessary security coverage during campaign period, the polling day, post election period until a new government is in office to discharge its mandate as clearly defined in the constitution and enabling legislations,” they said.