By Cyrus Ombati
Police operations were paralysed for the third day Wednesday after disgruntled officers, protesting the possible delay in their pay increment, tampered with the communication system in Nairobi.
Murmurs of discontent are brewing within the middle and lower ranks of the police and prisons services after news spread that they might not get promised salary increments.
This was after the government announced on Monday that at least 133,000 civil servants and National Youth Service (NYS) personnel will from the end of this month get a salary increment.
The pay rise has been pending since 2007 when recommendations were made by the defunct Permanent Public Service Remuneration Review board for harmonisation of basic pay in the public service.
Public Service Minister Dalmas Otieno said on Monday that the new salary adjustments would involve civil servants in job groups A to T.
Those in job groups M to T got a 12-20 percent increment. He said the ministry had received Sh6.8 billion in this financial year for the salary adjustments.
After the news of the increment came out with an indication the police may not get the promised money, some of the officers jammed their system paralyzing operations since Monday night.
Instead, the officers hurled insults at their seniors and played music through the system.
Reports said the Treasury and the Directorate of Personnel Management have agreed not to implement in full a pay package approved for the officers until the Police Service Commission promised by the new Constitution is set up.
The pending pay increase is part of the second phase of a package earlier approved by the Ministry of Internal Security and Treasury, but the latter has defaulted on its pledge to submit Sh9 billion.
On Monday night and Wednesday, senior officers were at some point unable to issue instructions via pocket radios, since some junior officers were using the same media.
The juniors told their seniors they would not take instructions unless the Government properly addressed the salary issue.
Some senior officers were consequently forced to switch off their radios, preferring to use mobile phones instead.
A similar incident where police jammed communication system occurred last year and 2010 after then Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti awarded the force an increment of 28 per cent, which they termed "meager"
In 2010, a similar disquiet which crept in among junior officers, forced senior Internal Security Ministry officials to persuade the Treasury to grant them Sh5.1 billion, just hours before Parliament passed the ministry’s vote.
Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere, AP commandant Kinuthia Mbugua and Commissioner of Prisons Isaiah Osugo confirmed to The Standard they were yet to receive a circular from the Directorate of Personnel Management in the Office of the President showing any increment they expected.
Police headquarters said they are monitoring the situation and warned saboteurs of police operations will be sacked.
Nairobi Area covers parts of Kiambu, Athi River, Ongata Rongai, Ngong, and Kangundo.
