Three officers promoted to SAIG to improve service delivery

The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has promoted three more senior officers to the rank of Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police (SAIG) to enhance service delivery.

Those elevated to the third highest rank include head of operations at Administration Police Peter Pamba, Administration Police Training College commandant Omar Shurie and Kenya Police College, Kiganjo, commandant Peter Kavila.

Sources however said there was disagreement at the commission's meeting last week on whether Kavila should be given the rank.

"There were suggestions to promote Nairobi County Commander for fair balancing and that was left to the Inspector General's (IG) office to decide," said an official aware of the new changes.

This increases to 10 the positions of SAIG,with 63 positions of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) and 102 for Commissioner of Police (CP) posts.

Another rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police was created above the Chief Inspector.

Commissioner of Police position holders will be in charge of counties, the commission said.

Of the SAIGs, three will be in the office of the IG, three in the Deputy IG's (regular) and three in the Deputy IG (AP) and CID. The director of CID will also get a new rank equivalent to the Deputy Inspector-General.

Most of the AIGs have been positioned at the headquarters to coordinate matters. Of the 198 so far vetted, 172 have been appointed to the new positions.

This means most of the county commanders who have not undergone suitability test will be removed. Operations have been frustrated by lack of clear command in various places.

More changes are anticipated in 2015 when almost a dozen officers including the Deputy IG of Police Grace Kaindi retire.

The search for Kimaiyo's successor is also ongoing.