The newly appointed National Police Service Commission
(NPSC) Chairperson, Yuda Komora, and Inspector General of Police, Douglas
Kanja, on Saturday appeared together publicly in Tana River County, signaling
an apparent end to weeks of speculation about strained relations between their
offices following the recent suspension of police recruitment.
The two top security officials shared a podium during a
Thanksgiving service organized in honor of Komora, marking his assumption of
office as NPSC chair.
Their joint appearance comes amid heightened scrutiny over
the halted nationwide police recruitment exercise, which had been temporarily
stopped by the courts.
Komora used the event to downplay reports of divisions
between the NPSC and the National Police Service (NPS), emphasizing that both
institutions are united in purpose and commitment to service.
He assured the public that the commission and the office of
the Inspector General are working in close collaboration to ensure the seamless
running of police operations across the country.
“We are one, and we are working as a team because we are all
serving Kenyans,” Komora said, stressing that unity between the oversight and
operational arms of the police is vital for effective service delivery.
The high-profile event was attended by Prime Cabinet
Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, and
several senior security and administrative officials, signaling the
government’s effort to project cohesion within the country’s top security
leadership.
Komora further addressed the issue of the stalled
recruitment exercise, which has drawn public attention and concern over the
potential staffing gap within the police service.
He reaffirmed that the NPSC remains committed to working
with all relevant agencies to resolve the impasse and resume the recruitment
process as soon as possible.
“We will engage together and ensure that we are back on our earlier schedule,” Komora said, noting that recruitment is a critical process for strengthening the country’s security framework.
He also lauded ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of
police officers, saying the commission would continue to collaborate with
stakeholders to enhance the working conditions and morale of officers serving
across the country.
On his part, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen acknowledged the existing legal challenges but called for dialogue between the NPSC and the Inspector General’s office to resolve the matter amicably.
“There is a case in court blocking the recruitment process.
We will talk with the NPSC and the Inspector General to see how we can resolve
that case so that recruitment can begin,” Murkomen said.
“We want to ensure
that we have implemented affirmative action in the recruitment.”
The display of unity between Komora and Kanja is being
interpreted as an important step toward restoring confidence within the police
service and the public, following weeks of uncertainty surrounding the stalled
recruitment and perceived institutional friction.
As both leaders pledged to work together, Saturday’s event
appeared to mark a turning point for the two institutions, one that could set
the tone for improved coordination, accountability, and reform within the
National Police Service moving forward.
