Police reforms stall due to lack of funds, National Police Service Commission says

Police reforms have stalled because of lack of funds, the National Police Service Commission has said.

The commission told Interior Principal Secretary Monica Juma that their plans, including implementing new ranks for senior officers, have stagnated because they do not have money.

The PS was visiting the commission offices in Westlands last Thursday when she was informed of the challenges.

Sources said the commissioners cited the planned reorganisation exercise in which they plan to have new ranking structure as part of the stalled reforms.

"We told her there is a financial constraint in ensuring these ranks are in place and the officers have their offices," said an official who was privy to details of the meeting.

The commission also told the PS they lack funds to renovate their offices and buy furniture.

The PS is said to have promised to look into the issue and help facilitate the much-needed reforms.

Commission chairman Johnston Kavuludi had earlier said the more than 190 police officers whose ranks had been scrapped in the new ranking structure will be absorbed.

The ranks scrapped include Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police and Assistant Commissioner of Police in both regular and Administration Police.

New ranks

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku has gazetted the new ranks, which include Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police (SAIG) and Assistant Inspector General and Commissioner of Police.

According to Kavuludi, all police County Commanders will be of the rank of Commissioner of Police in the changes to come.

Then at the national level, there will be around 40 officers of the same rank, he added.