• Urge him to prioritise ending extrajudicial killings
• Also told to deal with cattle rustling
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
MPs on Wednesday told incoming Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai to prioritise ending extrajudicial killings.
In a debate on the committee report approving the IG’s appointment, the lawmakers further asked the police boss to end the long wait by families for compensation of police officers killed in the line of duty.
The MPs praised President Uhuru Kenyatta for appointing Mutyambai, saying the move gives hope of an end to days when such jobs were a preserve of certain tribes.
Majority Leader Aden Duale, in agreeing with the decision by the Kiambaa MP Paul Koinange-led team, said the IG must ensure that Kenyans are safe.
The Garissa Township MP said an effective police service can only be achieved by a competent and effective Inspector General.
“There is serious disappearance of Kenyans. There are bodies of Kenyans decomposing at city mortuary. This should be Mutyambai’s first assignment,” he said.
The legislators also tasked the IG with tackling cattle rustling and ghost police officers – of which 5,000 were flagged in the recent headcount.
Members also delved into the unusual number of police roadblocks across the country, asking the new police boss to rein in officers demanding bribes at the stops.
Also on their wish-list is that the IG deals with terrorism from a preventive perspective to ward off attacks targeting citizens.
Citing the increased attacks in Kisauni, Duale said cases of people murdering others in criminal acts must be investigated and eradicated to ensure Kenyans are safe.
“Follow after IG Joseph Boinnet. He dealt with carjackings and other crimes that threatened the lives and property of Kenyans.”
“I hope the Inspector General will look into the welfare of police officers and deal with those who want to scuttle the public confidence Kenyans have on the police service,” Duale said.
Minority whip Junet Mohamed supported the nomination, saying it is not in doubt that the nominee is qualified for the job.
“We are happy and supportive. Let’s hope he will handle his job without fear and professionally,” Junet said, joking that he hopes the new Inspector General will not teargas opposition protesters.
Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood echoed the sentiments saying the new IG has a good ground to fight terror attacks having been in a counter-terrorism agency.
He urged the incoming IG to help augment the work being done by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the DPP to strengthen the war on graft.
Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma asked the incoming IG to harmonise how orders are executed in the police service.
"We would also want the IG to engage the SRC immediately so that the allowances for officers are harmonised and based on the area of operation," Kaluma said.