- Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki will also be present and it will be the first time he will meet some of the bosses.
- Insiders said they will ask the President to spare them of budget cuts because the directive is affecting police operations.
Image: FILE
President William Ruto is scheduled to meet top security chiefs in the country on Tuesday, November 15 at State House to urge them to focus on their job without fear.
It will be the first meeting with the security chiefs from the National Police Service, the National Intelligence Service and other agencies responsible for the fight against crime since he took over as President.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki will also be present and it will be the first time he will meet some of the bosses.
“The boss has been advised to see police and other security players as government officials who are loyal to the government of the day and not as enemies serving a past regime,” an official aware of the message to be delivered said.
The scheduled meeting comes in the wake of increased cases of insecurity in the country partially blamed on police inaction.
This inaction has been occasioned by the attitude of some politicians towards the police, especially after the August 9 general election.
Residents said there is increased trend in muggings, stabbings, robbery with violence and murder in the city.
Some officers who talked on condition of anonymity said some comments made by some politicians have affected the working morale of the officers and the security sector at large.
“Police operations are sensitive and the President and his team need to know the same and I believe they have been informed unless they want to see muggings happening outside their homes,” an officer said.
The insecurity situation is also blamed on a silent go-slow by some critical police units charged with fighting crime.
This is after some of their nine colleagues from the disbanded Special Service Unit were arrested for allegedly abducting two missing Indians and their Kenyan driver.
The police chiefs met at the Administration Police Campus in Embakasi on Monday, November 14, to plan their agenda to the President.
Insiders said they will ask the President to spare them of budget cuts because the directive is affecting police operations. The President ordered the National Treasury to cut the budget by Sh300 billion as part of an austerity plan.
They will also ask the President to allow the new Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and his team to run the service affairs the way they see it right.
“Given the economic situation, we expect a rise in crime in general and with a disgruntled service we will see worse unless the President cooperates with the security players,” added another official aware of the plans.
Insecurity in the North Rift is also another issue which must be addressed, according to the official.
And on this, the security commanders will ask for more resources to address it.
Ruto said Sunday that the government will take decisive measures to ensure there is security in Kerio Valley, adding that the government is determined to end cattle rustling in the region.
“We will ensure this region is peaceful, we want our children to go to school and the people to focus on meaningful economic activities," the President said.
And when he met Koome on Friday in State House, the President said the police is well resourced and independent to execute their mandate.
“Muggings, cattle rustling or other cases of insecurity must stop,” he said.
The President also asked Koome and the National Police Service Commission to work together.
“We want a professional police service; the sticky issues of ethnicity, nepotism or cronyism should no longer exist,” he said.
The President further said that all promotions must be on merit.
Koome, until his appointment as the IG, was the commandant of NPS Training College in Kiganjo. He was also the principal assistant to the deputy IG, and is believed to understand police operations well.
Insiders hope he will inspire the service to change their modus operandi in addressing the issues at hand affecting management of crime.
On Friday, he warned criminals of tough times ahead, shortly after being sworn into office at the Supreme Court.
Koome said crime will not be tolerated under his watch, adding that police will use the powers bestowed upon them by the constitution to deal with the prevailing security challenges.
The IG acknowledged the enormous responsibilities that lay ahead and promised to deliver to the people of Kenya, whom he described as kind hearted, warm and welcoming.
“Any criminal trying to pickpocket or snatch jewelry along the streets shall have themselves to blame as they shall be dealt with firmly,” he said.
While acknowledging the good work done by 98 per cent of police officers whom he said performed their duties professionally, Koome cautioned the errant two per cent.
He called upon police oversight institutions to take up their rightful roles and assist the NPS in dealing with them.
While assuring the public of their safety and security, Koome said that all police officers were well versed with the law on when they are supposed to used a firearm. He assured police officers of his support so long as they acted within the law.
Koome urged police officers to fully exercise their powers in dealing with criminals, even as he put livestock rustlers on notice.
The new police boss promised a change of strategy that would target the livestock lords who benefit from the illegal trade that has led to loss of lives and wanton destruction of property.
(edited by Amol Awuor)