By Cyrus Ombati

Top police officers have endorsed the national taskforce on police reforms report.

The consensus was reached after a two-day meeting to study the report this week. They said 90 per cent of the report favours the force.

Chaired by Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere, the officers went through about 300-page report on Thursday and Friday before stating the agreement and several other objections.

Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere chaired the meeting. Photo: File

A source who sought anonymity told The Standard on Saturday the officers were opposed to some of the recommendations, citing a clause that calls for the review of suitability of holders of the ranks of assistant commissioner of police and above.

Those who attended the meeting at Vigilance House included provincial police officers and formation commanders.

Top officers present were Iteere’s deputy Francis Okonya and formation commanders William Saiya (General Service Unit), Gatiba Karanja (CID director) and Peter Kavila (commandant of Kenya Police Training College).

"We wanted to study the report as a team before adopting a common ground. The meeting has agreed the report is 90 per cent good," said a source.

The report says Sh81 billion will be needed to reform both the Regular Police and Administration Police units within four years.

The cash should be sourced from the Government and other development partners.

The Government has said it will offer Sh50 billion and seek the rest from development partners.

The amount will be used to install CCTV cameras, double the salaries of the officers, review police laws, equip the force at large and operationalise the new structures.

The report prepared by the taskforce headed by Justice Philip Ransley demands the formation of a Reforms Implementation Commission to coordinate, monitor and supervise the implementation process.

"The commission shall stay in place until institutions such as the Police Service Commission are established within a maximum of two years," reads part of the report.

The commission will submit its report to the President and Prime Minister and public and have powers to subpoena documents.

Implementation of the Ransley report would start immediately the commission is formed.

The Ransley report requires all officers of the rank of assistant commissioner of Police and AP and above be subjected to review against a criteria developed jointly by the Public Service Commission, Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Security and Intelligence Services.

The criteria would include professionalism, integrity, track record and psychological fitness.

Progressive Review

There are more than 200 officers of these ranks in both units and AP.

"Those found unfit for retention should be retired from forces with sufficient safety nets to cushion them on exit," reads the report.

The proposed PSC can thereafter progressively review the ranks below the ACP until all members of the force are cleared.

The taskforce has also recommended a new structure to govern the forces. This includes the PSC, National Policing Council and Independent Policing Oversight Authority.

It requires the inspector general of Kenya Police Service and commandant general of AP Service to report to the three bodies.

There will be deputy inspector general assisted by assistants in training, GSU, Operations and Directorate of CID.

There will also be provincial police commissioners who will report to the IG.

The President, on recommendations of the PSC, will appoint IG and CG after a transparent and competitive process. Both will serve on a one five-year contract.