Kindiki throws weight behind officers' promotion by IG Koome

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki speaks during a past presser at Harambee House, Nairobi. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has lauded the promotion of dedicated police officers by Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome.

The CS said many police officers have suffered while protecting the interests of the public and should be appreciated.

"We are promoting the officers who have worked for the public," said the CS.

The National Police Service Commission last week castigated Koome over the promotion of 500 police officers.

And on Sunday at Pefa Church in Kamahuha village, Maragua, Kindiki raised concerns that rogue officers were terrorising the public and collecting bribes from boda boda riders.

"I will deal with rogue police officers to save the image of the force," he said.

Koome warned police officers not to apply for positions advertised by NPSC on Friday, June 9.

"The commission hereby invites applications from qualified police officers to fill the following positions at the National Police Service," read the advertisement in part.

The commission's CEO Peter Leley said Executive Order No. 1 of 2023 of January 6, 2023, recognised the independence of NPSC and the National Police Service.

Hours after the advert went out, the IG issued a communication to all police formations and commands directing that no police officer should apply for the advertised positions.

NPSC chairman Eliud Kinuthia told The Standard on phone that "the purported promotions are null and void."

The commission further addressed the issue in a press statement signed by Leley.

Kinuthia warned that the officers who had been issued with promotion letters without the input of the employer risk disciplinary action for obeying unlawful orders.

He said the commission had written to the Director of Pensions at the Treasury not to confer any financial benefits on the officers promoted by the IG.