More than 400 traffic police officers have been dismissed by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) after they failed to pass the integrity test.
Speaking to reporters in Eldoret before commencing the vetting of Chief Inspectors in the region, NPSC Chairman Johnston Kavuludi announced that the officers failed during a vetting exercise that involved a financial probity test.
"More than 400 officers or 10 percent will be affected. We finished decision-making on Thursday last week. Those to be removed and retained have been informed," he declared when he met Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago.
The police boss noted that their removal was overdue as the department was the most affected by graft.
[caption caption="NPSC Chairman Johnston Kavuludi and Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago"]
[/caption]
"Their suitability was determined through a rigorous process. Either they gave explanations which did not add up or we found out details they had not revealed after investigating," the chairman added.
Kavuludi explained that older officers would be put on retirement and paid their dues.
He further assured that the NPSC would catch up on officers who had avoided the vetting process by moving to other departments.
“They should know no officer will be promoted or given retirement benefits without producing a vetting clearance certificate," he conveyed.
The NPSC chairman addressed the matter of the officers' welfare stating that the government had allocated resources to resolve the issue.
"We only ask them to be patient as the process that will take time goes on," he stated.
[caption caption="NPSC Chairman Johnston Kavuludi "]
[/caption]
Reports on Monday showed that police officers were protesting a move by the government to have their salaries slashed even after they acquired additional academic qualifications.
