More than 500 police officers were promoted in the latest moves by the National Police Service which has prompted squabbles among members of the National Police Service Commission.
The commission chairman Eliud Kinuthia and CEO Peter Leley have termed the promotions un-procedural and unlawful.
The differences came out Monday after Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome announced the promotions which saw General Service Unit Commandant Eliud Lagat, Deputy Director of DCI Nicholas Kamwende and head of investigations at DCI Abdallah Komesha promoted to the rank of Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police (S/AIG).
Also promoted was Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) Director David Birech.
All new regional police commanders were promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of police.
National Police Service spokesperson Dr Resla Onyango, Nairobi regional police commander Adamson Bungei, Mombasa’s Peter Kimani, North Eastern’s Tom Muriithi and Eastern’s Joseph Napeiyan were promoted to the rank of AIG.
Dozens of other officers in the Administration Police and DCI were promoted to various ranks.
Among those promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police include DCI head of Economic Crimes Unit Abdullahi Shuria, Kiambu head of DCI Richard Mwaura, deputy head of forensics Anthony Muriithi, director of counter-terrorism at NPS Dennis Omunyiri, Lawrence Some, Aggrey Obura or DCI operations, Jimmy Kisobo, head of Serious Crimes at DCI Michael Sang, head of Operations Support Unit Zachary Kariuki Kiago, Lawrence Knthiwa, Simon Kipruto, Sophia Kinoti, Janet Shako, Peter Ngundo, Gillon Gitau, Geoffrey Chania and Abraham Mugambi.
Sosthenes Makuri, head of land fraud unit William Kibet, Joseph Kivuva and James Githinji were also promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police.
All DCIOs in Nairobi were promoted to the rank of Senior Superintendent of police.
They include Abdirashid Yakub (Kilimani), Charles Ate (Lang'ata), Patrick Gikunda (Dagoretti), Harold Kimaro (Kasarani), Robert Muriithi (Central), Paul Mwenda (Kiambu), Stephen Mutua (Embakasi), Martin Korongo (Makadara) and John Mutonga (Kisii Central).
Also promoted to SSP in DCI include Benson Mulwa (Kitengela), Denis Obiero (Njoro), Jeremiah Ndubai (Isinya), Monica Jeruto (Homa bay), Eunice Mbula (Lari), Paul Makonge (Nyamira South), Nahumu Muli (Gatanga), Francis Chirchir (Kirinyaga Central), David Sichangi (Ndhiwa) and Elijah Ndung’u (Bungoma South).
Koome also promoted Peter Ogolla (Kikuyu), Joseph Vundi (Thika West), Robert Kiptum (Kisumu Central), Luka Tumbo (Marsabit), Bernard Wamalwa (Laikipia West), Tom Nyabuti (DCI Academy), Daniel Seko (Mumias), Isaiah Ngetich (Mogotio), Josephine Mokaya (Q Master), Obed Isanda (Kangundo), Simon Waithaka (Moyale), Jackson Owino (Subukia) and Martin Nyuguto (director Homicide).
But Kinuthia who called a press conference and later cancelled it termed the move null and void announcing he had nullified the changes.
Koome on his side said his actions were guided by the constitution. The press conference by the Kinuthia in Mombasa did not take place.
The faction issued an unsigned statement bearing the name of the CEO saying the promotions were illegal.
This is the unsigned statement by Leley read.
“It has come to the Notice of the National Police Service Commission that the Inspector General of Police purported to promote over 500 Police officers on Monday the June 5,2023. He announced that the promotions take effect immediately.
"The promotions are contrary to Article 246 of the Constitution of Kenya- 2010, the National Police Service Commission Promotion Regulations, 2015, Chapter 34 of the National Police Service Standing Orders, 2017 and the National Police Service Career Guidelines."
He said the promotions are also unlawful and un-procedural as the Inspector General has no such authority in Law.
"The Commission cannot ascertain the merits of the said promotions as: There are no related vacancies declared nor approved by the Commission; They were covertly undertaken as there is no single advertisement on the same; There is no determination by the Commission on the purported promotions;
"Promotions in the National Police Service must be based on merit, equal and fair opportunity to all Members of the Service, shall be equitable and have considerations on gender and regional balance and must meet requirements of ethics and integrity."
He added:
"All purported promotions as conferred on 5th June, 2023 to select Members of the National Police Service are declared irregular, and un-procedural; Any Officer using such rank as irregularly conferred is warned that any benefits so obtained shall attract personal liability;
"The Principal Administrative Secretary of the National Police Service is directed to refrain from implementing any promotions or related payroll decisions based on actions not determined by the Commission; That the Commission shall hold personally liable any Member of the Service who implements such directive on promotions without a written determination of the Commission."
The statement added that the Inspector General should recall his "illegal actions" as "they totally flout various Constitutional principles and failure to uphold the rule of law by a State officer".
"The Commission would like to urge all Police Officers of the Commission’s commitment to ensure fairness and equal opportunity in administrative actions and is working to clear the anxiety and confusion caused by the said un- procedural and unlawful actions.”
