The Police reforms working group has lauded Inspector General Joseph Boinnet for his exemplary job in managing the 14 Riverside Drive attack on Tuesday.
In a statement on Thursday, the union said Boinnet led the National Police Service in a professional manner leading to minimal causalities, therefore restoring public confidence in the police.
The union said the officers bravely engaged the terrorists but were also being mindful of the victims by carefully evacuating them to safety.
"The clear coordination of efforts confirms that the NPS has learned from the past, and is looking ahead to build coherence and effectiveness in policing. This is indeed the kind of National Police Service envisaged in the Constitution of Kenya and the National Police Service Act," it said.
"This operation has sparked public confidence in the police," it added.
The reforms group also commended the quick response and efforts of the first respondents who were journalists, police, the Kenya Red Cross and other good Samaritans that supported the efforts to save the lives during the attack.
"In addition to the on-the-ground operations, we congratulate the NPS for their regular and concise updates to the public through the press conferences. These have indeed been received well by the public, who were reassured that the situation was being handled professionally, with the ultimate aim to minimize panic, eliminate the distortion of facts, and to remain accountable.
Many Kenyans have also praised the police for responding quickly during the attack unlike the Westgate mall attack in 2013 which claimed about 67 lives.
All the units consisting of the Administration Police, General Service Unit’s Recce Squad, Flying Squad and Kenya Police were under a singular command of GSU Commandant Douglas Kanja. It was formed for the rescue operation at the Dusit complex
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The Police reforms working group also condemned the heinous attack by the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
"We send our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims of Tuesday afternoon’s terrorist attack on 14 Riverside drive including the brave officer who died in the line of duty," it said.
It further urged Kenyans to continue alerting the authorities of any suspicious behaviours or information that could help in the on-going investigations.
The information should be reported at the DCI headquarters or at any police station. People can also call the National Police Service emergency hotlines - 999, 112 and 911.
Tuesday’s attack claimed 21 lives.
The reforms group comprises NGOs like Kenya Human Rights Commission, Federation of Women Lawyers, International Commission for Jurists, International Justice Mission, Amnesty International- Kenya, Social Justice Centre Groups and HAKI Africa, Usalama Reforms and Coalition on Violence against Women.
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