The incoming Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai has been petitioned by a consortium of lobby groups to focus on six police reforms within his first 100 days in office.
The lobby groups include, Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ-K), International Commission of Jurists–Kenya (ICJ-K), Legal Resources Foundation (LRF), International Justice Mission (IJM) and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU).
The key areas that the groups cited included crime prevention and response, human rights compliance, the integrity of police officers, independence of the Office of the Inspector General, management of police welfare and community policing.
According to a report by Amnesty International, on behalf of Police Reforms Working Group-Kenya (PRWG-K), Mutyambai should commit to oversee full re-organization of the police command structure.
The group also wants him to enforce a zero-tolerance approach to extra-judicial killings as well as mysterious disappearances of suspects.
Furthermore, they want action taken to ensure officers currently implicated in illegalities are interdicted, investigated and prosecuted.
“We extend a hand of partnership to the incoming IG as he embarks on his duty to transform the NPS into an accountable, professional and human rights-compliant institution, in line with our constitutional aspirations, national legislation, and a comprehensive police reforms agenda,” read a joint communique issued by 19 lobby groups read.
On Wednesday, MPs unanimously endorsed a report recommending Mutyambai’s appointment.
In separate debates both in Senate and the National Assembly, the MPs were categorical that the new IG had his work cut out.
The approval now sets the stage for formal appointment by President Uhuru Kenyatta before swearing in by Chief Justice David Maraga.
