The Secretary-General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), Francis Atwoli, stirred controversy on Saturday by insisting that police officers must maintain severity and boundaries with civilians.
Speaking in Tana River County, Mr Atwoli argued strongly against the notion of friendly policing, claiming that a soft approach would fail to curb crime.
The veteran trade unionist was speaking during the Thanksgiving ceremony for Dr. Amani Yuda Komora. Dr Komora was recently sworn in as the Chairperson of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).
A Call for Discipline, Not Friendship
Mr Atwoli’s remarks stood in stark contrast to comments made by Narok Senator Ledama Olekina, who had spoken on the need to improve police terms of service.
Mr Atwoli acknowledged that Olekina had spoken well about improving the terms and conditions of service for police officers.
However, the COTU boss drew a clear line regarding police conduct towards the public. He stated that police must always remain officers (Polisi lazima awe polisi).
Mr Atwoli warned that if a police officer becomes a friend to a civilian, bad things will not be stopped (mambo mabaya haitakomeshwa).
“Kitu mimi nataka kutofautiana kidogo na Olekina ni kwamba, polisi lazima awe polisi. Polisi akiwa rafiki ya mwananchi mambo mabaya haitakomeshwa. Polisi awe na mpaka. Polisi awe mkali. Mnasikia?”
He emphasised that police must maintain strict boundaries and be tough. The veteran leader suggested that even IPOA should go slow on reprimanding police officers for wrongs when dealing with civilians.
“Hata mimi huwa naomba IPOA, ni lazima ipoe kwa polisi.”
Mr Atwoli went further, arguing that if you do not properly discipline the African man, you risk dire consequences.
“Mwafrika mtu wa ngozi nyeusi usipomnyorosha utampata kwa bedroom yako,” he added.
Supporting the New NPSC Leadership
The ceremony provided a platform for Mr Atwoli to congratulate the newly appointed NPSC Chairperson, Dr Amani Yuda Komora.
Mr Atwoli confirmed that he made sure to attend the event because he has a long history with Dr Komora, dating back to when the NPSC Chair was at the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
Mr Atwoli praised Dr Komora as a respectable person.
“Wewe ni kijana wa heshima [You are a young man of honour]. Respect for elders. Respect for the government.”
He pledged his full support to Dr Komora’s mandate. Specifically, Mr Atwoli urged the new Chairperson to review the terms and conditions of service for police officers, particularly focusing on their housing situation.
He highlighted that officers work under very severe and difficult conditions. Mr Atwoli noted that his own father was a military man (mtoto wa askari baba yangu alikuwa mtu wa army).
Decades of Political Influence
To lend weight to his strong pronouncements on governance and policing, Mr Atwoli reminded the gathering of his extensive history working alongside different political regimes.
He noted that he began his career during the first year of President Jomo Kenyatta’s era.
Mr Atwoli listed the heads of state he has worked with during his career:
• Mzee Jomo Kenyatta (nearly 15 years).
• Mzee Moi (nearly 24 years).
• Mzee Kibaki (10 years).
• Uhuru Kenyatta (10 years).
• William Samuel Ruto (current).
He stressed that he has worked with every government because a workers’ leader must cooperate with the administration that determines salaries and the welfare of workers. He also mentioned that he is the longest-serving elder of his political party, KANU.
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