Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen/PCSInterior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has expressed confidence in Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja’s leadership of the National Police Service, dismissing what he described as false reports seeking to undermine the police chief.
Murkomen threw his weight behind the NPS leadership, maintaining that its actions were guided by the Constitution.
Speaking on Friday during the 59th Passing-Out Parade at the Administration Police Training College in Embakasi, Nairobi, Murkomen hit out at individuals he accused of attempting to demean the office of the Inspector-General.
“I have read false reports out there that try to demean the Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja. I have full faith in the leadership of the National Police Service. They are doing a fantastic job,” Murkomen stated.
He accused some individuals of using propaganda to undermine Kanja’s office, insisting that the actions of the National Police Service were guided by the Constitution.
“There are people out there, tribalists and other propagandists, trying to demean his office. I have full faith, and I believe every act done within NPS is guided by the Constitution,” he said.
Murkomen’s remarks came as he defended the independence of the National Police Service and Kanja’s constitutional mandate as head of the service.
He said Kanja was independently handling matters including investigations, promotions and deployment of police officers, with the Interior Ministry restricted to its policy role under Article 245 of the Constitution.
The constitutional provision provides for the office of the Inspector-General as the head of the National Police Service and requires the office holder to exercise independent command over the service.
Murkomen maintained that the Ministry of Interior does not interfere with the operational decisions of the police service, arguing that its role is to provide policy direction within the limits set by the Constitution.
The CS further pledged to continue supporting Kanja and the service leadership as they discharge their responsibilities.
His remarks come amid continued scrutiny of the conduct and independence of the police service, with questions periodically raised over the extent to which the executive influences policing operations.
Murkomen, however, maintained that the National Police Service was operating within its constitutional framework and that Kanja had his support.
The Cabinet Secretary also used the occasion to address the newly graduated police officers, urging them to understand the responsibility that comes with exercising police powers.
He reminded them that their authority was derived from the Constitution and entrusted to them for the purpose of serving the public.
Murkomen also noted that the Government was steadfast in implementing the recommendations of the Maraga-led National Taskforce on Police Reforms aimed at building a Police Service that is professional, properly equipped and people-centred.
Other reforms, he said, include the modernisation of equipment and integration of technology into security operations and service delivery, improvement of police welfare, including access to medical care, better remuneration and expansion of the police housing programme.
“We are focusing more on mental health, making sure medical facilities and insurance cover are improved, and also their basic salary has increased significantly,” he noted.
