Matiang'i says tight rules ahead over sexual harassment in police service

The government is crafting stringent rules to curb cases of sexual harassment in the police service.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Mariang’i said a team had been formed to come up with rules that will guide relationships in the National Police Service..

He said among others, the move is aimed at addressing rising cases of sexual harassment and killings in the service.

He said a Gender Relations office will be created under the office of the Inspector General of police to manage the issue.

"If it happens that two police officers fall in love, then one has to leave the service", he said.

“Some of the female police officers have filed sexual harassment complaints. I want to assure you that it won’t happen in the future,” the CS said.

He spoke at the National Police College in Kiganjo when he officiated a new training programme for graduate cadets.

He said a team formed to come up with the rules will present the same before the National Security Council which will approve the same for implementation.

“You are officers and we don’t expect you to have a relationship with your constables. A relationship framework will make the service a dignified place to work.”

He said similar practices are observed in the Kenya Defence Forces and urged the officers to compete and match the standards of others in the world.

Matiang’i said cases of sexual harassment will be dealt with immediately.

The CS told police commanders to pull up their socks as stringent measures are coming for the better of the service.

Some murder incidents in the service have been linked to intimate relationships among officers.