The National Police Service Commission yesterday encountered the grim reality of some of its officers who confessed not being conversant with English.
The shocked panel, led by chairman Johnston Kavuludi, directed several officers to immediately take literature courses after they failed to communicate.
During the third day of the vetting at the School of Government in Mombasa, an officer confessed he would divert his M-Pesa transactions to his secret lover, as his wife is a "harsh woman and he fears her".
Sergent John Maloba from Diani Traffic Base said his lover takes care of his property.
The commission said the proceeds from his charcoal business are not genuine because he confessed it is the girlfriend’s business.
He was accused of shielding her from other "rogue" officers out to arrest her.
George Amon, a police corporal based in Kwale, could not speak fluently in English and shifted to Kiswahili.
He was ordered by commissioner Mary Owuor to speak in English, which was a tall order for him.
Kavuludi ordered him to go back to school as he was a disgrace to the police service and to him.
"Go back to school and read. A police officer must be a good communicator," he said.
Amon said he could not speak in English because he finished O levels in 1981.
In 1984, he was charged for absconding duty and in 2013, he faced another charge of failing to salute a senior police officer.
Corporal Daniel Njiyia based in Mombasa, had a difficult time expressing himself.
Njiyia, who owns four parcels of land, vehicles and rental houses, was accused of failing to declare the value of his properties. The commission said this was a cover up attempt.
Kavuludi said Njiyia is a poor poor English communicator.
Another officer, Winniejeal Kaberu, a police corporal in Kilifi, was turned away after being told she is arrogant.
Her testimonials and certificates were torn and she took time to decide which hand to salute with.
Kavuludi said: "She is not sure which hand to use for salutation. She behaves like a former director of the National Police Service, who had difficulties in saluting and a DC in Kisumu who saluted his senior while under a vehicle.”
Salutation is a basic skill in the forces. An officer who fails to do it correctly is considered incompetent and one who cannot deliver.
Corporal Felix Mumo from Mombasa was said to have omitted the Bribe Taking Unit during his training.