Resign? 'No, never', asserts Kaindi as Uhuru’s choice ignored

Grace Kaindi reported to office Thursday and held normal meetings with a few senior officers, raising suspicion she may have decided to stay put since her retirement announced by authorities has sparked controversy.

Tension and confusion reigned at Vigilance House, the headquarters of the National Police Service, as Grace Kaindi held onto her deputy inspector general position, despite her replacement by President Uhuru Kenyatta on the advice of the service.

A situation quite unexpected of the service, which thrives on discipline, submission to order from superior office and seamless and prompt relay and execution of orders, played out as her replacement in an acting capacity, Mr Joel Kitili, reported to Vigilance House but was kept waiting in another office.

The day ended without Kaindi, who the Chairman of the National Police Service Commission Johnston Kavuludi explained was leaving after attaining the age of 60, handing over to Kitili.

Kaindi, too, reported to office Thursday and held normal meetings with a few senior officers, raising suspicion she may have decided to stay put since her retirement announced by authorities has sparked controversy, especially from the gender angle and those who claim the President acted unconstitutionally.

Head of Civil Service and the President's Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua visited Kaindi in her office at about midday, raising speculation there could be a standoff.

It is not clear what they discussed but sources revealed Kaindi was adamant and demanded a formal letter sending her out of office. She is also said to have told other officers that she was supposed to start her pre-retirement leave on October 15.

Last evening, IG Joseph Boinnet went to Kaindi's office to ask her to hand over. Witnesses said Boinnet walked to her office with Kitili and locked themselves in and reportedly asked her to relinquish office. They were still in the office by the time of going to press.

Kitili who had earlier arrived at Vigilance House ready to take over was asked to see one of Kaindi's deputies, Mr Gideon Ashmalla. The President on Tuesday said Kitili's nomination would take place with immediate effect, and holds until the substantive process of appointing the next DIG takes place.

When asked by The Standard whether she had tendered her resignation as stated by Kavulundi, Kaindi replied in short text message: "No, never."

The changes have sparked criticism from Orange team led by Raila Odinga as well as women rights groups who argue that her removal was unprocedural and contravened the laws governing police operations.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery courted more controversy when he insisted there was no qualified woman to step into her rank, hence the decision to appoint Kitili.

Those opposed to Kaindi's removal cited sections of the National Police Service Act, which outline the procedure of appointing and removing the DIG from office.

The law says the DIG shall be appointed for a term of five years and may be eligible for reappointment for a further one term, subject to the age of retirement.

But where the term of office specified ends before the retirement period, the Deputy Inspector-General may be redeployed to the public service.

Thursday, Federation of Women Lawyers Chairperson Ruth Aura said that it was disturbing that while Kenya is struggling with gender disparity, the President has replaced the DIG with a man against the spirit of the Constitution, the Jubilee Manifesto and his own proclaimed support for women leadership.

Nkaissery defended the decision not to nominate a woman to succeed Kaindi, arguing that there is no female police officer of higher rank who can succeed Kaindi. "What if there was no woman to be named to the position?"' he asked.

He added: "In fact there was no senior female officer of higher rank that could take over from her and in any case, the substantive successor will be named later."

But some officers who spoke on condition of anonymity said there are many senior female officers who can succeed Kaindi. They named the high-ranking female officers as Airports Criminal Investigation chief Judy Jebet, Director Kenya Police Reforms Alice Naliaka, Head of Personnel at CID headquarters Jecinta Kinyua, Miriam Muli (IG's office), Head of CID Railways section Mary Kaol, Head of investigations Kenya Revenue Authority Peris Muthoni, Head of Complaints at CID Lilian Kiamba, Nyeri County Commander Eunice Kihiko and Machakos-based Jecinta Odhiambo.

The sources also pointed that the current IG was picked from lower rank and supervises even those who were his seniors.