Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai has banned all police officers from complaining on social media.
A notice sent to all employees attached to the enforcement service indicated that all officers were prohibited from sharing their complaints regarding the service on social media.
The memo signed by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) senior officer Mwangi Wanderi urged officers of all ranks to use available channels to address their grievances.
The officers were further warned that disciplinary measures would be taken against them if they disobeyed the directive.
“The Inspector General has noted with a lot of concern that officers have developed a habit of using social media to advance their grievances without exhausting the laid down channels which include quality assurance/complaint and gender offices at service headquarters and the internal affairs unit.
“Sharing information with the media whether verbally or otherwise must be done in accordance with the regulations. Serious disciplinary action will be taken against any police officers found abusing the use of social media and sharing information with the press without authority,” the memo read in part as reported by K24.
This comes at the time when complaints by officers are on the rise with some lamenting on alleged harassment by their seniors.
In mid-May, a female officer shared a video in which she was pleading with the enforcement ministry to relieve her of her duties.
Police Constable (PC) Viviana Williams, in a viral video, demanded to be relieved from her duties claiming that she was sexually harassed and mistreated by her bosses.
"Sir, kindly allow me to resign from the police office because I can thrive elsewhere. Even if it means, resigning without pay, I will not mind," she complained.
Investigations into her case were immediately launched and are still ongoing.