Is AP still plotting for ‘future’ action?

By Standard Reporter

Two years to the next General Election, the ODM wing of the coalition is crying foul that PNU intends to use the Administration Police to once again manipulate the 2012 poll.

The party’s fears stem from the unprecedented expansion and modernisation of the force within the past seven years.

Once known as the tribal police, the AP has grown in leaps and bounds under the stewardship of their powerful but controversial commandant Kinuthia Mbugua.

How we reported the incident.

Since taking over in 2003, Mbugua has seen the number of AP officers leapfrog from 16,000 to 41,000 compared to the regular police at 43,000.

From an ill-equipped unit, the AP today is said to have the best equipment among the civilian security units. Insiders say the force is much better equipped than the rapid response General Service Unit of the regular police force.

The AP now boasts of bullet-proof jackets, balaclavas, masks and knee and leg calf protectors.

The AP recently set up a marine wing, and is acquiring an air wing. In 2007 the force formed the Rapid Deployment Unit in parallel to the police force’s General Service Unit.

It is reported that the AP has sunk Sh950m in 5,000 high-calibre guns and 2,000 machine guns. It is also reported that the force is spending another Sh510 million to buy a second hand helicopter from South Africa.

Another unspecified amount is said to have been sunk in the purchase of a second chopper, and acquisition of a marine boat to be used alongside one that is already operating in Lake Victoria.

During last year’s budget, when the allocation for security forces was slashed by about Sh600 million, the AP got an increment of Sh700 million.

It is this expansion, with the hindsight of how it was used in the 2007 General Election that is causing jitters in ODM.

It has raised fears that they are either being pampered or are being prepared for a mission, which is not yet clear.

An internal party document prepared by ODM secretary general Anyang’ Nyong’o claims: "Whereas the recruitment and deployment of the regular police has stalled; APs are being given military training; are getting sophisticated military equipment, and are being armed like an elite presidential unit."

The image of the AP has also been tainted with increasing links to crimes.

The force was lately in the limelight over the discovery of a cache of ammunition in Narok.

More than 100,000 bullets, six guns, military uniforms and gun cleaning oil were seized at businessman Munir Ahmed’s house in December.

The consignment is said to have come from AP armoury in Nairobi. The force’s chief armourer is currently facing trial in connection with the find.

The training of the APs has also been called in to question following murders committed by officers in the force.

Police reforms

It was in light of these issues that the Taskforce on Police Reforms headed by retired justice Philip Ransley recommended the merger of the regular and AP forces.

However, Mbugua, who has served in the force for more than 30 years, has fiercely resisted these suggestions.

Under the Proposed Constitution, the commandants of the two forces will fall under the Inspector General of police, but will function independently.

Currently the AP commandant reports directly to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Provincial Administration and Internal Security.