Koskei to police: Graft has been elusive but it must end

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has acknowledged that there are a few individuals in the police service who have continued to taint the image of the service because of corruption.

Koskei said corruption has been elusive but they have to end it in this administration for future generations.

He said the 'corrosive' corruption has had a lot of negative impact on development in the country.

The head of public service spoke on Friday when he chaired a consultative meeting of top police chiefs from across the country.

The forum dubbed 'Zero Tolerance to Corruption' has been convened to draft far-reaching measures to end the vice.

In his opening remarks, Koskei said he has been directed by President William Ruto to convene the meeting to agree on the best ways of tackling it in government and within the service.

"It is on account of this that the President has directed me to have this meeting with you and have a candid discussion on how to end corruption and clean the service," Koskei said.

The meeting, he said, comes in the backdrop of major transformations ongoing in the civil service and police service.

Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, DCI's Mohamed Amin and members of the National police service commission led by its chair Eliud Kinuthia attended the meeting.

Officials from the Independent Police Oversight Authority, regional police commanders, county police commanders and subcounty police commanders were also present.

"We want to close ranks and find solutions. The President is committed to ensuring there is good governance and ensure a responsive and functioning service," he said.

Cases of stalled projects in some parts of the country, unfair employment, skewed development, and loss of public property, he said, are a result of corruption.

Koskei has been holding similar meetings with heads of state corporations, independent institutions, public procurement agencies and National Government Administration officers.

The ongoing meetings, he said, will culminate in a national dialogue to be addressed by President William Ruto.

He directed the IG to lead the process of transforming the service by weeding out corrupt elements.

"Let us return the glory of the police so that when the public sees a suspicious activity they can come to you to report it," he said.

"Go back to your stations and work on this problem, it might look small but it taints your name."