Kavuludi shocked by officers' ignorance

Johnston Kavuludi, the chairman of the NPSC, was amused when Gitonga referred to him as 'police commission vetting chairman'. PHOTO: COURTESY

A police vetting panel was shocked that some officers could not differentiate between the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) and National Police Service (NPS).

The panel, which has been interviewing officers for the past one week in Nakuru was startled when Constable Alexander Gitonga said he was employed by the President.

Johnston Kavuludi, the chairman of the NPSC, was amused when Gitonga referred to him as 'police commission vetting chairman'.

Gitonga could also not explain the difference between the commission and the National Police Service (NPS).

Kavuludi was so agitated by the response that he ordered the officer to open a notebook and list the roles of the commission.

Among the roles he told him to list included recruitment and appointment of police officers, confirming appointments, determining transfers and promotions, and exercising disciplinary control.

"From today, stop imagining I am the chairman of police vetting committee," said Kavuludi.

"You are a stranger and should be given time to go and understand the police service. We have completed your interview, go study, know NPS and NPSC," he added as the officer walked out.

Another officer, Alfred Kimutai Cheroitich, was also asked to go and familiarise himself with the police service and its functions.

Kavuludi further prompted him to state who pays his monthly salary, an answer he could not provide.

"Go read Article 245 and 246 to know the difference between NPSC and NPS," he directed the officer.

Before the vetting, Cheroitich had requested to be allowed to speak in Kiswahili, not English.

The panel said he was among officers who had transacted huge sums of money between 2012 and 2013 through M-Pesa agents and his bank account.

He deposited Sh2.4 million into his M-Pesa account and Sh5.4 million through agents.