IG David Kimaiyo: Police chiefs will no longer address media

Inspector General David Kimaiyo consoles Mombasa Urban District Criminal Investigation Officer (DCIO) Ndumba Thangarai at a Mombasa hospital.

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo has issued orders prohibiting county and divisional police heads from issuing any information to journalists outside crime scenes.

The police chief wants to be the one to comment on all crime issues, irrespective of their nature.

Most police commanders who spoke to The Standard have criticised the order, terming it backward, retrogressive and aimed at suppressing truth.

The police boss issued a circular two weeks ago warning of unspecified disciplinary action on police heads who contravene the order.

Kimaiyo said all county police bosses together with divisional heads will henceforth brief the media through the office of the spokesperson.

But some officers said the police standing orders, which are under review, and operating manuals for the service allow any gazetted officer to talk to the Press on their operations.

"I think it is wrong in many aspects because the spokesman or his office cannot handle all matters in the country. Does it mean if there is a mob lynching incident in Lamu he will be the one to confirm it?" posed one officer.

Another policeman said their boss was going against the grain of reforms and devolution by gagging his commanders who can help him in managing crime.

"We rely on the media to even appeal to the public for help and highlight many issues. The media are largely trusted and we do not know how he wants us to operate," added another officer.

The officers said Kenyans have a right to information which is reliable and verifiable.

Officers commanding police division (OCPDs), their deputies and county commanders are the ones who are traditionally authorised to give media updates at the grassroots.

A number of officers accused Kimaiyo of failing to embrace reforms that can make the service progressive and responsive to various matters that are changing at an alarming rate.

They said the IG is yet to fully empower and mobilise his office and that of the spokesperson to be able to address many insecurity incidents that happen in the country.

SERIOUS RESISTANCE

They noted there is serious resistance and sabotage to implementation of the constitutional policy, institutional and legal reforms within the key police leadership.

Other officers at various counties claimed the police boss and the National Police Service Commission were reluctant to ensure order in the service by ensuring the new ranking structure is mobilised.

"We are not gagging anyone or trying to suppress truth. We are simply trying to make things work well and in order. We all have a common interest of ensuring that the service integrates well for the benefit of the country," Kimaiyo said yesterday.

The police chief also denied impeding reforms, arguing a lot had been achieved under his command.

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

"When you have two commanders with same rank at a given station, it sends a bad signal in terms of operations. He is to blame for this," he said.