Police Barred From Welcoming Visitors at Home Without Bosses' Approval

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i inspects a guard of honour during a passing out parade for 1,224 officers in December 2019
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i inspects a guard of honour during a passing out parade for 1,224 officers in December 2019
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Police officers have been subjected to more stringent rules in line with Interior Minister CS Fred Matiang'i radical reforms at the National Police Service (NPS). 

On Wednesday, June 30, Deputy Inspector General of Police Aineah Olweywe barred police living in lines (barracks) from having visitors unless authorised by their bosses. 

Olweywe, in a notice to the servicemen, stated that all officers residing in police lines would have to seek permission from their seniors. 

"Any officer wishing to bring relatives or friends into the lines shall obtain written permission from orderly N.C.O (In-Charge Lines and Discipline) and shall be registered. 

Interior CS Fred Matiang'i inspects a parade during the official opening of 161 cadet officers’ training in Ruiru on Thursday, December 10, 2020.
Interior CS Fred Matiang'i inspects a parade during the official opening of 161 cadet officers’ training in Ruiru on Thursday, December 10, 2020.
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"Unauthorised person shall be registered. Unauthorised persons shall be excluded from police lines," Olweywe wrote in the notice issued to all Regpols Formation/Unit Commanders, County and Sub-County Commanders. 

The DIG added that the enforcement was issued to boost the security of all police lines and other police premises as they are vital installations. 

In early June 2021, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai banned all officers from complaining and airing their plight on social mediaThis was after two female police officers accused their bosses of frustrating and harassing them at work. 

Two months earlier, in April 2021, Matiang'i prohibited police officers from having affairs and marrying each other while still serving under NPS. 

"Moving forward, it will be illegal for a police officer to date or get married to a fellow law enforcement officer. If it happens that two police officers fall in love, then one has to leave the Service. 

"We are scaling up the management practice of the police service. We have to adopt a new way [of doing things]. We will create a new gender relations office that will be under the supervision of the Inspector General of Police. Some of the female police officers have filed sexual harassment complaints. I want to assure you that it won’t happen in the future," he directed. 

Police officers who were married to each other before the directive was issued were not affected by the changes. 

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Police Constable Swaleh Rehemah told Kenyans.co.ke that she was frustrated at work.
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