Uhuru nominates six members to the National Police Service Commission

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet in his office in Nairobi. His successor will be selected after Parliament approves names of nominees to the National Police Service Commission. [File, Standard]

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday nominated six new members of the National Police Service Commission.

Eliud Kinuthia will chair the team and Lilian Kiamba, Eusibius Laibuta, Naftali Kipchirchir Rono, Alice Atieno Otwala and John Ole Mayaki are members of the commission whose powers include to "interview persons for purposes of filling vacancies in the Service taking into consideration gender, county and ethnic balancing."

The new team was among people who had been interviewed by a select team for a week in exercise that ended February 1.

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

The move follows the exit of the former commissioners headed by Johnston Kavuludi after they stayed in office for six years.

There are hopes among many police officers the new team will take care of their welfare.

It comes at a time when the term of the Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet who is a member of the commission ends.

Eliud Kinuthia (pictured) has been nominated by the President to chair the NPSC, which will pick successor of IG Joseph Boinnet. [Photo: Standard]

Other members of the commission are Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Njoroge Mbugua and that of AP Noor Gabow, two former police officers, a chairperson  qualified to be appointed as High Court Judge and three persons of integrity who have served the public with distinction.

The new nominees of the commission to represent police include Laibuta and Ms Kiamba.

The former team said it had succeeded in putting in place a rigorous vetting process for officers, fostering cordial relations with various stakeholders and engaged fruitfully with the National Assembly, the Civil Society, the Police Reforms Steering Committee and a number of international organizations.

The Kavuludi led team was the first one under the 2010 constitution and had faced a number of 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, determine the appropriate remuneration and benefits of officers.

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

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