Kaguthi, Werunga and Sang ditch Johnston Kavuludi’s police vetting panel

Simiyu Werunga (far left) Joseph Kaguthi (centre) have opted out of the police vetting panel.

By HUDSON GUMBIHI

NAIROBI, KENYA: Three members of the police vetting board have resigned, citing a strained relationship with some of the commissioners.

Simiyu Werunga, Francis Sang and Joseph Kaguthi tendered their resignation letters Tuesdayafter weeks of cold war between them and the commissioners.

Werunga said they did not want to soil their reputations by participating in an exercise that lacked transparency. “We want to concentrate on our private work,” he told The Standard.

But Kaguthi was more diplomatic. “It is true we requested to be relieved of our duties because there was a conflict of interest between the vetting exercise and our Nyumba Kumi initiative. There are many Kaguthis out there who can do my job.”

The move is likely to throw into jeopardy the work of the panel, which was preparing to vet another group of 182 officers from next month.

The National Police Service Commission chaired by Johnston Kavuludi had already sought public views against the officers comprising 66 Senior Assistant Commissioners of Police and 115 Assistant Commissioners of Police. Kavuludi could not be reached for comment.