I told the Grace Kaindi to ignore her removal and stay put, says CORD leader Raila Odinga

Kenya: CORD leader Raila Odinga claims he had asked former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Grace Kaindi to hold on to her position.

Raila termed the move to remove Ms Kaindi unconstitutional adding that: “The President lacks the power to fire the Inspector General and his Deputy.”

When The Standard on Saturday reached out to Kaindi for her reaction to this, her comment was, “I don’t want to be drawn into such issues for now. Thanks.”

Raila’s sentiment has also been shared by his Orange team as well as women rights groups who argue that Kaindi’s removal was unprocedural and contravened the laws governing police operations. The Opposition leader threatened that they will move to court if the President does not rescind his decision.

He, however, did not specify when the coalition will move to court to protest the move.

“If the President fails to overturn the decision we will challenge it in court,” said the former Premier.

The CORD principal said the National Police Service (NPS) is an independent institution which should not be controlled and manipulated by politicians.

Raila also took a swipe at NPS Commission Chairman Johnston Kavuludi, telling him not to allow himself to fall into the traps of the Jubilee government.

“Kavuludi should not play the role of a flower girl to Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery,” said Raila.

Recently, Kavuludi defended President Uhuru’s decision to move Kaindi from the Deputy IG’s position to an ambassador.

The former Premier also entered into the teachers and the government’s row over the 50-60 per cent pay rise.

He told the President to honour the court’s verdict and award the teachers their increment.

“CORD will take unspecified action should the government fail to pay teachers in the next two weeks,” said Raila.

Raila, who was accompanied by several Members of Parliament, spoke in Bondo yesterday during a food security initiative set to benefit 12,000 residents.