President Ruto’s NPSC nominees dodge payroll query, vow to close ties with NPS

President William Ruto’s nominee to the National Police Service Commission Amani Komora evaded pointed questions from MPs over custody of Sh60 billion payroll stalemate.

While the law gives the commission the constitutional mandate over all the human resource functions of the service, the crucial document is currently under the Inspector General of Police.

Last month, Parliament directed IG Douglas Kanja to surrender the payroll management to the commission.

When lawmakers asked Komora to state his immediate plan to address the payroll confusion, he steered clear of committing to a direct answer, insisting the commission will find a way around the ‘sensitive’ issue.

“The matter of the payroll in the public discourse is very sensitive matter between the employee and the employer,” Komora said when he appeared before the Committee on National Administration for approval hearing.

“We will eventually get to agree where the payroll sits. I don’t think we have to fight over positioning instead of the fact why we exist as a commission.”

Komora who appeared before the committee chaired by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo also assured Kenyans that he will forge a strong working relationship with the National Police Service once approved.

“I want to assure the panel and Kenyans that I have the experience to address the dynamics,” he said.

The nominee vowed to build a team that will work to ensure each entity undertakes its respective mandates.

“If approved, I will work with the different players and colleague commissioners, who I believe we will be able to consolidate into a solid team, so that we have one singular mind to address issues of NPS, instead of some of the divided noise that we hear,” Komora said.

The nominee, who is worth Sh102 millio,n also promised to adopt a new strategy in addressing systemic corruption.

A recent survey by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission ranked the Police Service the most corrupt sector.

“It is not good that every other year the NPS remains at the top for bad reasons. This is systemic corruption,” he said.

“We will work with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission alongside other players to to understand why this vice has become almost difficult to correct.”

The Tongoyo-led team also had a session with Angeline Siparo, who was also nominated as a member of to the commission.

She told the vetting panel that she is up to the task and will use her experience as a human resource professional and counsellor to add value to the service which has been battling cases of mental breakdown amongst officers.

“The greatest legacy I will leave is what I will do to the people of Kenya,” Siparo said.

She said told the committee she is worth Sh113 million, including liabilities.

The committee will retreat to write a report on their suitability and table the same on the floor of the House next week for further processing.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The NPSC oversees the recruitment process for all members of the National Police Service, including civilian staff, and ensures the constitutional threshold on inclusivity is met. It also confirms appointments and makes recommendations regarding acting appointments.