The National Assembly Public Accounts Committee chaired by nominated MP John Mbadi on Wednesday, April 26 was informed that the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) was evicted from their office in Karen.
The NPSC had reportedly blundered while acquiring the land which was later set aside to host a counseling center for its offices.
Another company, however, claimed ownership of the parcel and filed a petition demanding the court to order NPSC's eviction. The company also demanded compensation to the tune of Ksh24 million.
"A ruling was made and the Commission was ordered to vacate and pay a Ksh750,000 monthly fee with effect from December 18, 2018, totaling Ksh24,750,000," read part of the report filed to the committee.
NPSC acting CEO Silas Mc'Opiyo informed the committee that the commission had since vacated the piece of land but should be exempted from paying the compensation fee.
"We vacated the land but have lodged an appeal in court to quash an order to pay the firm money as compensation," he added.
Mc'Opiyo revealed that due to the evident fraud in the matter, the commission sought the help of the Principal Secretaries State Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Urban Development and Lands and Planning.
NPSC also involved the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further probe and clarification on the ownership of the land.
"In consultation with the office of the Attorney General, the Commission has procured a legal consultancy firm to represent it in court," Mc'Opiyo disclosed.
The commission currently has 34 counselors and social workers to provide mental health support to officers across the country.
In October 2022, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced plans to introduce a wellness unit targeting the mental welfare of officers within the service.
"I believe the issues around mental issues in the police service are linked to work-related stress. If you have a well-equipped wellness counseling unit you are able to prevent cases of a psychiatric nature and sometimes fatal accidents and their families," Kindiki explained.
