By Cyrus Ombati
President has appointed and published in the Kenya Gazette the nominees of the National Police Service Commission.
The President in consultation with Prime Minister Raila Odinga appointed educationist Mr Johnstone Kavuludi as the commission chairman; with Mr Ronald Musengi, Ms Esther Chui-Colombini, Mr Murshid Mohammed, Mr Muiu Mutia and Ms Mary Awuor as members following the approval by Parliament last week.
The appointment was made in a gazette notice issued on Friday. Internal security minister Katoo ole Metito says the commission will now take over the process of recruiting the Inspector General of police and his two deputies.
Metito said the commission has the capacity and powers to carry out the mandate, which has stalled because of disagreements between the coalition principals.
“It is good that the team is in place for now because it will start the process of recruiting the new police commanders as part of the police reforms,” he said.
Metito said he does not know how soon the process may begin but added he has faith in the commission.
The IG and his two deputies will also join the commission as members once appointed.
The team’s first task will be the recruitment of the Inspector-General of Police who will head the regular and administration police, two deputies and the director of CID.
NPSC will take over the affairs of the police, including keeping under review all matters relating to standards or qualifications required of members of the service and with the advice of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, determine the appropriate remuneration and benefits of officers.
It shall also approve applications for engagement in businesses by officers in accordance with the law and provide terms and conditions of service.
The commission will develop fair and clear disciplinary procedures in accordance with Article 47 of the Constitution and investigate and summon witnesses for the purposes of its investigations.
It shall also receive and investigate complaints by members of the Service, monitor and investigate policing operations affecting members of the public.
Further, it will monitor, review and audit investigations and actions taken by the Internal Affairs Unit of the Service in response to complaints against the Police and keep a record of all such complaints regardless of where they have been first reported and what action has been taken.
It will conduct inspections of Police premises, including detention facilities under the control of the Service and review the patterns of Police misconduct and the functioning of the internal disciplinary process.
