Senator, civil society fault Uhuru on new police law

Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar has faulted President Uhuru Kenyatta for assenting to a law that will give him have a say on who becomes the Inspector General of Police.

Mr Omar said the amendment goes against Article 10 on National Values in the Constitution. He also said the issue of recruitment of the police boss is a human resource mandate, which lies with the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) and is clear under Chapter 246 of the Constitution.

"We wonder who advised him because it is clear there is a problem in the new law he signed," said Omar, adding that this matter formed part of the issues that were derailing police reforms.

International Centre for Policy and Conflict director Ndung'u Wainaina said the changes led to centralisation and monopolisation of power by the Executive and minimised checks and balances.

"Post-independence constitutional changes and legal amendments undermined and weakened key institutions including the Judiciary, the Police, the Electoral system and Parliament while strengthening the Executive," said Mr Wainaina.

Under the Constitution, NPSC is supposed to recruit and appoint people to hold or act in offices in the service, confirm appointments, and determine promotions and transfers.

In the amended law, the President will constitute a selection panel of one person each from public organisations including Office of the President, Public Service Commission (PSC), National Police Service Commission, Independent Policing Oversight Authority, National Gender and Equality Commission and the Law Society of Kenya.

The PSC will convene the first meeting of the selection panel at which a chairperson will be elected from among the members. Seven days after the first meeting, the selection panel will invite applications. Thereafter, the panel will shortlist for interview and select three names to be forwarded to the President, who will in turn forward to Parliament the name of one person to be appointed within 14 days.