Can Police Oversight Board prove its worth to Kenyans?

Can Police Oversight Board prove its worth to Kenyans?

On Monday, Internal Security Minister George Saitoti inaugurated a taskforce expected to give proposals on police reforms. PointBlank remains cynical (‘Don’t hold your breath for promised police reforms’, May 15).

Our dim view is not without merit. Consider the gazette notice of September 4, last year (No 8144). Prof Saitoti appointed the Police Oversight Board, "a semi-autonomous body answerable to the State through the minister". It is meant to receive and evaluate complaints against the police.

No legal basis

When Prof Saitoti unveiled the board, Police Commissioner Hussein Ali sent an unequivocal message by snubbing the event. Besides, there have been suggestions that the board has no basis in law, and is, therefore, toothless. We argued as much on September 9 (‘Board should not make us lose sight of reforms’).

Eight months later, we ask: Can the board prove, through the required quarterly reports, that it has handled complaints and made recommendations on improving the Force? Where is its secretariat and what is its budget? Is it merely a public relations creature?

Council ‘fire fee’ should be banned

Mr Steve Baraza, "a concerned small businessman trying to retain my employees during these difficult economic times", wants the City Council of Nairobi to explain the basis for its annual fire clearance certificate.

"I have a small workshop and paid Sh3,000 to the council, bought two fire extinguishers and has since continued paying inspection fees to a private company," he says.

Baraza does not understand why after spending so much, council officials still expect him to pay the annual fee yet all they do is inspect the premises but offer no service whatsoever for the fire certificate. He says he would have no complaints if City Hall sold extinguishers at a subsidised rate and council officers actually inspected the equipment.

"I propose that before a trade licence is issued, officials visit the premises and confirm fire safety compliance. They should then charge for the initial service. After that, traders should not be compelled to pay annual fees when they use private inspectors," he says.

Without such "fair changes", he tells Town Clerk Philip Kisia that the annual "fire fee" seems to have turned traders into a cash cow.