The National Police Service Commission (NPSC), on Monday, June 5, nullified promotions effected by Inspector General Japhet Koome.
NPSC chairman, Eliud Kinuthia, argued that Koome bypassed the commission's role as stipulated by law.
Koome promoted National Police Service Spokesperson Resila Onyango, and Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIP).
General Service Unit Commandant Eliud Lagat and Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) Director David Birech were promoted to Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police (S/AIG).
At the same time, Mombasa and Eastern Regional Commanders Tom Kimani and Joseph Napeiyan were also promoted to the rank of AIG.
The promotions were announced by police headquarters, with the names set to be forwarded to the National Police Service Commission for ratification.
On Friday, June 2, before the National Assembly’s Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC), the commission accused IG of usurping its human resource functions.
NPSC alleged that it could not effectively execute its mandate due to Koome's refusal to implement its resolutions.
NPSC Chief Executive Peter Leley stated that Koome should comply with the legal policy and the institutional regulatory framework guiding the team’s human resource functions.
“The Inspector General of Police has severally cited Article 245(4) of the Constitution as the reason for not implementing decisions of the commission on recruitment, appointments, confirmation in appointments, dismissal, transfers and promotions,” the commission told the House.
NPSC
The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) is an independent commission established by the Constitution of Kenya to oversee the National Police Service (NPS).
NPSC comprises nine commissioners appointed by the President. It is responsible for the recruitment, vetting, training, promotion, discipline, and welfare of police officers.
It also has the power to investigate complaints against police officers and to recommend disciplinary action. The NPSC was established in 2010 following the disbandment of the Kenya Police Service and the Kenya Administration Police Service to professionalize the police service and improve its accountability to the public.
Despite being praised for its work in reforming the police service, it has also been criticised for its failure to address police corruption and brutality.