The running of the police service in Kenya has led many to wonder whether the police job is a profession or some kibarua (menial job) at a godown in Industrial Area.
Seemingly, the service is run on whims, beliefs or even moods of the Interior Cabinet secretary.
Article 245(2)(b) of the Constitution gives the police autonomy of operation, though to some extent the service may take policy advice from the Interior CS or be guided by the ODPP on some matters.
The inclusion of the CS as someone who has a hand in controlling police actions has to some extent exposed the service to political manipulation, misuse and misdirection.
The CS, in the Kenyan setup, being a political appendage of the president and the sitting government, has on several occasions made calls on the police to carry out unlawful orders that have been detrimental to the spirit of the Constitution. The Constitution envisioned a professional ‘police service’ as opposed to an unpolished police force.
In short, the executive has used the police as some sort of crude weapon to bludgeon dissenting voices into submission.
Recent examples are the brutal unleashing of police on protestors with murderous effect, the constant harassment of former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga and the Interior CS's arbitrary order of mass transfer of police officers in the name of adopting a policy.
The Interior CS called on the transfer of police officers who had exceeded three years of service in one station. The reason given was that when officers ‘overstay’ in a particular posting they are likely to be complacent and be too familiar with the residents and not be in a position to be impartial in carrying out their duties. That sounds like a very awkward theory.
The best practice world over is that the police should work in an environment they are familiar with and possibly close to their family home. It becomes very difficult for police to conduct malpractice like collecting bribes or harassing residents in the very village or town they grew up in.
The Interior CS also failed to note that officers have families who get adversely affected by arbitrary transfers which result in fragmented families. The resulting frustration leads to fatal consequences because of increased depression within the police rank and file.
Children are also affected because of constantly changing schools. There's also financial implication on the already underpaid officer in searching for new schools and the attendant costs.
These lopsided policies and uncertainties have rendered police officers a frustrated lot, making them walking time bombs. The police can never be professional in such a chaotic environment.
Many police officers are not sure if the police service is a profession, a trade or some jua kali kibanda (shack) where anyone can walk in, call the shots and shout orders around.
The limitation of some rights of police officers has made the lives of the men and women in uniform even more difficult. Unlike many Kenyans, the police enjoy no right to privacy or socioeconomic freedoms and yet they are some of the most poorly paid. It is only sensible that the Kenyan government should have compensated for these inconveniences and handicaps with proper remuneration.
The officers are denied socioeconomic rights, meaning they cannot engage in other profit-making ventures unless with 'special' permission from the Inspector General of Police. If a police officer goes broke he is rendered to have committed a disciplinary offence and charged for being pecuniary embarrassed. Very conflicting.
The Interior CS should therefore desist from being petty and hurting this sorrowful lot even further than they are already suffering.
Instead of effecting beneficial proposals from the Justice Maraga report findings—like increasing their salaries—why is he rushing to effect malicious proposals that seek to destabilise families and the mental well-being of the men and women in uniform?
Let the policymakers not be shy of reasoning beyond the empty policy texts and think deeper. We expect the police to serve us with diligence and absolute professionalism but the police personnel need better terms of service to deliver that.
We cannot expect a police choking in all these colonial bottlenecks to operate effectively in the 21st century.
Communication and security expert
