Regional Police commanders have lost part of their powers after Kenya Police Service introduced drastic measures to curb corruption.
The police service has barred the commanders from initiating transfers of junior officers without the approval of Vigilance House.
Regional Police Commanders, who are in charge of former provinces, previously had the mandate of redeployment of junior officers within their jurisdiction.
[caption caption="Police headquarters at Vigilance house in Nairobi"]
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Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Edward Mbugua issued the directive citing police bosses were abusing their powers.
“It has been noted that most commanders are misusing powers to transfer officers in their regions. From the date of this signal, I direct that no commander will deploy officers from one station to the other without express authority from the DIG,” a letter from Mbugua read.
The circular addressed to all regional commanders, formation commanders and county police commanders mentioned that some officers were effecting transfers without justifiable reasons.
The new rule seeks to stop the corruption syndicate mushrooming from redeployment.
“There has been reports of nepotism, favouritism, bribery and malice in some of the transfers,” the DIG stated.
Hundreds of police officers have been stranded after getting parallel redeployment from the police headquarters and their immediate bosses.
The new directive comes only days after 500 senior police officers were transferred in a restructuring effort.
[caption caption="Deputy Inspector General Edward Mbugua"]
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