Uhuru names six to replace Kavuludi team at commission

President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday nominated six new members of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), who will replace the Johnston Kavuludi-led team.

If approved by Parliament, the team’s first task is to recruit the successor of Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet (pictured), a member of the commission, whose term is also coming to an end.

The nominees are Eliud Kinuthia, who will chair the team, Lilian Kiamba, Eusibius Laibuta, Naftali Kipchirchir Rono, Alice Atieno Otwala and John ole Mayaki.

Fill vacancies

Their powers will include to “interview persons for purposes of filling vacancies in the service, taking into consideration gender, county and ethnic balancing.”

The six were interviewed by a select team early this month.

The names were read in Parliament, which will now vet them, before they are formally appointed and sworn in.

The move follows the exit of the Kavuludi-led team who were in office for six years.

Cordial relations

Other members of the commission are Deputy Inspector Generals Njoroge Mbugua and Noor Gabow, two former police officers, a chairperson who is a person who is qualified to be appointed as High Court judge and three persons of integrity who have served the public with distinction.

Kavuludi’s team said it succeeded in putting in place a rigorous vetting process for officers, fostering cordial relations with various stakeholders and engaging fruitfully with the National Assembly, the civil society, the Police Reforms Steering Committee and a number of international organisations.

The Kavuludi-led team was the first under the 2010 Constitution and faced numerous challenges in their six-year tenure in office.

NPSC takes care of the affairs of the police, including keeping under review all matters relating to standards or qualifications required of members of the service and with the advice of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, determines the appropriate remuneration and benefits for officers.

It also approves applications for engagement in businesses by officers in accordance with the law and provides terms and conditions of service, develops fair and clear disciplinary procedures in accordance with Article 47 of the Constitution and investigates and summons witnesses for the purposes of its investigations.

The commission will also receive and investigate complaints by members of the service, monitor and investigate policing operations affecting members of the public.