Face of police service 51 years after first Jamhuri

Kenya: There have been tremendous changes in the police service since the first Jamhuri Day was celebrated more than 51 year ago.

From their attire to their modus operandi, there can be no comparison on how things were done then and now. Despite the raging changes, some officers are rigid and conservative.

The national police service has gone through several changes, including its size and leadership. But much more needs to be done for the service to meet its obligation of providing security to all. Currently, there is pressure for the service to ensure there is security in the wake of increased terror attacks.

Some officers claim a section of their commanders are opposed to the proposed reforms, which would ensure proper and smooth delivery of services. Change of technology also requires that the service changes its operations.

More than 200 reforms were proposed to be effected, but there has been resistance from some quarters to embrace change.

Some of the few changes that have been effected include the leadership command of the service, in which an Inspector General and the deputies were appointed in a competitive and transparent manner.

Public participation

But there are again plans to scrap provisions initially meant to ensure the service is independent.

Another change was creation of the National Police Service Commission, Independent Policing Oversight Authority.

In the issue of appointment, the President wants to use the proposed Security Laws (Amendment) Bill, which was tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday, to appoint outgoing Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo's successor.

The bill empowers the President to appoint an IG, doing away with the role of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) and various constitutional commissions that are currently empowered by law to participate in the hiring of the police boss.

"The President shall within 14 days after a vacancy occurs in the office of the Inspector General, nominate a person for appointment as inspector General and submit the name of the nominee to the National Assembly," the bill, which has drawn various views, proposes.

This may, however, mean the President has a direct hand in appointing the IG, which will be against Article 10 of the Constitution. The office of the IG is independent and hence needs public participation in his appointment.

Vetting is mandatory for all officers before they are promoted to the next rank, confirmed or posted.

The vetting was meant to clean up the police, which has been listed as the most corrupt institution in Kenya by many surveys. Vetting of police officers was among the more than 200 proposals of a commission set up following the 2007-2008 post-election violence.