CORD and Jubilee differ on Kaindi exit

Leaders from rival Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) and Jubilee alliance Thursday clashed over President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision to remove Grace Kaindi as Deputy Inspector General of Police.

MPs allied to the Government backed the President's directive, saying he acted within the law as Kaindi had attained the retirement age of 60 years, but the opposition maintained her removal was unconstitutional and an 'insult' to women leaders.

Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka/Nithi), his National Assembly counterpart Adan Duale (Garissa Township) and Vice Chairperson of Senate Committee on Security Fatuma Dullo defended the government's actions, saying due process was followed as the President acted based on the advice of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).

They scoffed at claims by the Opposition that the President was mis-advised and should immediately rescind his decision.

"I am shocked the Opposition has resorted to attacking the Government on this matter yet the law is very clear. The removal of Kaindi is very procedural, she has attained the retirement age of 60 years. No one has pushed her out," said Mr Duale.

He, however, assured Kenyans that the substantive office holder will be recruited in a competitive process as provided for in the Act and the Constitution.

Appeal channels

"The law states how to appoint, retire or remove the DIG from office and therefore if Kaindi feels aggrieved, let her follow the right channels to appeal," said Prof Kindiki, who spoke to The Standard on phone from Tanzania.

He argued that Kavuludi, who is the official spokesperson of NPSC, has conveyed the commission's decision and wondered why the president was at fault for acting within the law.

"Kaindi is a public officer and a constitutional officer holder, for that matter. She understands the procedure to follow to challenge the decision," said Kindiki.

Dullo argued that a change is sometimes required to breathe in new life and come up with policies.

"I don't have the details of her removal but change is good... Security of tenure does not stop the Government from effecting change," said Dullo.

But the Opposition faulted the President for repeatedly breaching the very law he pledged to uphold and took a swap at his advisers.

Senators Mutula Kilonzo Junior (Makueni), Hassan Omar (Mombasa), Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Francis Mwangangi (Yatta) and Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Township) told the president to reverse his decision to replace Kaindi.

Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang'ula (Bungoma) termed what had befell Kaindi as sack by the Government, saying it was unfortunate it happened at a time the constitutional provisions to attain the one third gender rule was at its epic.