National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga has faulted President Uhuru Kenyatta following his recent appointments in the National Police Service.
The opposition leader stated that Kenyatta had usurped the role of independent agencies by appointing top officers.
Odinga claimed the changes were not totally in line with the constitution and threatened to take the country back to the dark days.
[caption caption="NASA Leader Raila Odinga"]
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“The spirit of the Constitution and the mood of the people of Kenya is that the National Police Service and indeed all independent constitutional offices must remain independent, particularly of the presidency and free from political interference.
"...the spirit of our hard-won Constitution must be respected and nobody must sneak back the country into the personalisation of the State and its organs," stated the former Prime Minister.
The Constitution, under Article 245 (3) stipulates that the Kenya Police Service and the Administration Police Service shall each be headed by a Deputy Inspector-General appointed by the President in accordance with the recommendation of the National Police Service Commission.
Article 246 (3) states that the commission shall recruit and appoint persons to hold or act in offices in the service, confirm appointments, and determine promotions and transfers within the National Police Service.
Article 132 (2) (f), however, that states that "the President shall nominate and, with the approval of the National Assembly, appoint, and may dismiss any other State or public officer whom this Constitution requires or empowers the President to appoint or dismiss.
The President on Friday made major changes to the National Police Service (NPS) sending senior officers for redeployment.
Addressing the nation from State House, President Kenyatta noted that the changes were meant to improve service delivery and efficiency in the service.
Director of Criminal Investigations Ndegwa Muhoro was replaced in an acting capacity by Assistant Inspector General of police Mr George Kinoti.
Mr Joel Kitili — the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Kenya Police — and Mr Samuel Arachi — his Administration Police counterpart — were also redeployed to the Public Service Commission.
[caption caption="Ndegwa Muhoro handing over to George Kitili"]
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