National Police Service reforms are on course and there’s no room for conflict

By David Kimaiyo

My attention has been drawn to an article by Juma Kwayera in The Standard on Saturday of November 23, alluding to a slow process in implementing reforms in the National Police Service.

I would like to correct some errors arising from the article.

Not only are police reforms on course, but they are also happening in a coordinated manner. The NPS is a member of the Government’s Police Reform Programme’s Steering Committee, where it discusses and coordinates the efforts of a number of stakeholders who cannot allow for the reform process to be derailed.

The NPS is an institution in the public service and a critical appraisal of the performance of her officers on a day-to-day basis is most welcome. As most of the appraisal(s) on the performance of the NPS is wont to come through various media channels, it is imperative that the media also endeavour to give a factual and balanced view of the status of whatever security issue(s) being focused on.

Kwayera’s article failed to factually and objectively give full details of the on-going reforms in the NPS and appreciate the cordial relationship between the NPS and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).

 It is not clear to Kwayera, for instance, that the Inspector General, the Deputy Inspector General Kenya Police Service and the Deputy Inspector General Administration Police Service are also commissioners of the NPSC.The NPS and the NPSC are working with a clear understanding of their respective mandates, besides providing leadership in implementing the reforms.

Through concerted efforts between the NPSC and the NPS, an internationally acceptable vetting has been developed. It is this tool that will form the basis of the vetting of 32 senior police officers of the rank of Senior Deputy Commissioners of Police (I and II) and Deputy Commissioners of Police, scheduled for December. The vetting of the other cadres will proceed from January.

There is the general perception that the implementation process of the vetting exercise has somewhat been delayed. But the process of developing the vetting tools has indeed been involving and justifiably so because of the need to develop the right and acceptable tools that conform to internationally acceptable standards of good practice and also conform to established legal provisions.

Seemingly unknown to Mr Kwayera is the on-going reforms in enriching the training curriculum for police officers. This has seen a new training curriculum developed for basic and cadet courses. The new curriculum has extended the training period from nine to 15 months of basic training and an additional six months cadet training for university graduate recruits. A total 14,000 recruits have been trained on the new curriculum so far. This curriculum is under review to incorporate specialised training for GSU, Forensic and Community policing.

A key ingredient in the curriculum is the introduction of diploma and postgraduate diploma courses in policing and our police training institutions, Kenya Police College Kiganjo, GSU Training School, Administrative Police Training College and Directorate of Criminal Investigation Training School have been accredited to offer the courses.

Advanced arrangements are in place to launch a senior leadership and command programme for senior police officers. A training needs assessment has been carried out and is due for validation.

A number of other reform programmes have also been initiated in the NPS, including the establishment of an Internal Affairs Unit to conduct investigations into police misconduct in a fair and effective manner.

Kwayera’s article alluded to apathy in the Police Service arising from my failure to address issues of staff welfare. It is in the public domain that on-going police reforms are underpinned by initiatives that seek to address the welfare of police officers. One of the initiatives is to improve remuneration and benefits for police officers commensurate with the demands placed on them in provision of security in the country.

The issue of increase in salary for members of the Police Service has also been pursued with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and it was recommended that it awaits the finalisation of the general salary survey in the public service.

On medical insurance cover, the good news is that the government has approved replacing the currently paid risk allowance with a comprehensive medical and life insurance cover for disciplined officers of the NPS with effect from July 1, 2014. The delay in implementation of this approval is due to finalisation of modalities by the government for the procurement of a service provider.

Finally, the state of housing in the service is a thorny issue that continues to affect the welfare of most officers. Through on-going reforms, the service has, however, made significant strides with 99.5 per cent of initially stalled housing units and office accommodation countrywide completed while the remaining five per cent are nearing completion. With the service currently experiencing a deficit of 57,000 units coupled with the fact that an average of 7,000 recruits join the service annually; the housing still remains a challenge.

To fast-track the processes of construction of targeted housing units and alleviate the aggravated situation, the government, through the National Housing Corporation, has initiated a new cost effective programme, which is currently being piloted for roll-out to police stations in the 47 counties. This will see the construction of 2,000 housing units countywide.

In his article, Kwayera accuses “Kimaiyo of being preoccupied with over-concentration of “real power” in his office and usurping the mandate of his deputies”. I am not sure what Kwayera means by “real power” but on the balance of probability, his assumption is purely based on conjecture and by a failure to appreciate the constitutional provision for the holder of the office of IG.

On the relationship between the office of the IG and the two deputies, I wish to refer Kwayera back to the Constitution, which together with the National Police Service Act 2011, clearly defines the role and functions of each of these offices. The legal provisions in the two documents do not provide room for any interference whatsoever in executing their respective mandates.

We are moving towards a more open community service policing in the country. This requires the understanding and support of the general public and the media is the vehicle of choice. Further, the constitution provides for public participation and access to information. To this end we are working towards developing and implementing a comprehensive communication strategy that will enable us to reach out to Kenyans and other stakeholders.

This will also help foster useful partnerships in the maintenance of law and order.  The NPS recognises media as a key partner in this critical period geared at making the service more accountable to the public.