Candidate for CID chief faces query on Baragoi

By CYRUS OMBATI

Deputy Commissioner of police Francis Okonya has admitted there was an operational lapse in recent Baragoi assignment where more than 40 police officers were killed and armoury stolen.

Okonya seemed to blame Rift Valley police boss John M’Mbijjiwe for part of the lapse, saying he abandoned the exercise before it ended.

“I can admit there was an operational lapse because even the PPO, who was leading the exercise, left there without permission. I had to instruct him to go back,” said Okonya.

He was speaking just before the conclusion of interviews yesterday of interviews for the Director of Criminal Investigations position.

Successful nominees for the post will be known today.

Commissioners of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) went into retreat last evening and are expected to probably make an announcement this afternoon on the top three nominees and later forward the names to the President and Prime Minister for consideration and appointment.

NPSC chairman Johnston Kavuludi said yesterday they intend to make an announcement on the successful nominees anytime before Monday.