Commission launches vetting of traffic officers in three regions

Traffic police officers in the rank of corporal, Caroline Otieno [right] and Joyce Iha share a light moment at tea break during police vetting which started yesterday at School of Government in Mombasa. The vetting process is targeting 500 police officers in Mombasa county. 10th November 2015. Photo Omondi Onyango/Standard

The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has launched the vetting of 2,500 traffic police officers in three regions.

The exercise targets 598 officers in the rank of constable, corporal, sergeant and senior sergeant, inspector and chief inspector of police from Coast, Nyanza and Western.

NPSC Chairman Johnston Kavuludi said the exact date for vetting of officers in other regions will be announced once his team is done with the first phase.

In Coast, 238 officers, who will be questioned at the School of Government in Mombasa, will be required to present their financial records during the two-week exercise. "After June 5, we shall move to Nyanza, before going to Western," he said.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Kavuludi said they would be keen on how officers acquired their property, adding they will be checking different financial transactions. "We shall be looking at M-Pesa, bank records and other mobile banking statements," he said.

According the chairman, those who will fail the test are free to appeal.

Out of 1,566 officers vetted in the last exercise, 1,501 passed and 80 failed. 33 were reconsidered after appeal.

This phase also targets senior deputy commissioners of police, deputy commissioners, senior assistant commissioners, assistant commissioners, senior superintendents, superintendents and assistant superintendents.

Kavuludi warned that officers found guilty of abuse of office would not be spared.