AP chief rejects merger with regular police

By Fatuma Fugicha and Cyrus Ombati

Administration Police officers have opposed proposals to merge with their regular counterparts.

In a presentation to the Kenya National Taskforce on Police Reforms, AP Commandant Kinuthia Mbugua and senior officers said the proposed merger would create a vacuum.

The team told the taskforce at Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, that their operations are crucial to security in every corner of the country. The AP team proposed the creation of marine and border control units.

Mr Mbugua’s team was the second to appear before the taskforce in the five-hour closed-door meeting. The team argued their training and operations are different from those of regular officers.

Police Commissioner Hussein Ali appeared before the taskforce on Wednesday and proposed, among others, the merger of the two wings.

Strong together

Mr Ali, who was accompanied by senior officers from Vigilance House, is understood to have drawn his proposals from the 2005-2008 Police Strategic Reforms booklet.

He identified the weaknesses and strengths of a merger of the regular and Administration Police.

He, however, refused to disclose what he told the taskforce, saying it was confidential.

The taskforce, led by retired Judge Philip Ransley, will recommend reforms in the force.

Wananchi, professional organisations and institutions have until June 15 to submit proposals to the taskforce.

The team will recommend institutional proposals to oversee implementation of reforms. It will also review police preparedness to fight insecurity.

This is the first step in the long-awaited police reforms as recommended in Agenda Four of the National Accord, Kriegler and Waki reports.

The taskforce will examine competences, skills, knowledge and attitude of police officers at all levels.

Recruitment process

It will also review recruitment, deployment, training and career progression standards and practices.

Members of the team include retired Judge Sarah Ondeyo, Bishop Alfred Rotich, Mr Mohammed Ali Saleh and Mr Kyalo Mbabu, former police reservist.