Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has shed light on the ongoing transfers and disciplinary actions within the National Police Service (NPS). He said that these changes are part of the government's efforts to dismantle networks that are colluding with criminal gangs and other unscrupulous individuals.
Speaking at a Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Nyeri County, Murkomen revealed that the government was taking a tougher stance on law enforcers' role in enabling the illicit alcohol trade.
He noted that the prevalence of the sale of illicit brews in Nyeri County was largely due to the negligence or complicity of some local security officers.
“In areas where there is a proliferation of adulterated alcohol, it can't happen without the collusion of local security agencies,” said Murkomen.
He added: “There is usually a failure somewhere by the OCS (Officer Commanding Station) or a chief of a national government office.”
According to the CS, community intelligence revealed worrying patterns of complacency and at times, direct involvement of senior police officers in illegal activities.
Because of this dynamic, Murkomen said the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has been forced to embark on a reorganisation of personnel, based on the intelligence gathered.
“What we have done, and what the IG has done, is reorganize the police officers pursuant to intelligence coming from citizens on these unscrupulous activities,” Murkomen explained.
While some officers found colluding with criminals will face disciplinary action, Murkomen explained that others would be subjected to transfers or being reassigned, depending on their level of involvement in furthering illegal activities.
“Some who we cannot find clarity on how they were involved are transferred or designated to other duties. When there is a case of laxity, they can be redeployed to do something else,” he added.
The CS's remarks come at a time when the government has intensified its crackdown on illicit brews, which continue to pose a major public health and safety concern in different counties.
Murkomen's remarks come amid the resignation of the popular mugithi singer Samuel Muchoki, who is better known as Samidoh.
Samidoh had juggled a career in the police with being a musician. He served for 12 years until he began encountering problems with his employers and even faced desertion charges.
Samidoh ultimately resigned from the force, with IG Kanja finally accepting his resignation.
