Nairobi, Kenya, June 20, 2023- Security Committee Meets Cabinet Secretary Kindiki to Address Conflict Between Inspector-General and Police Service Commission
In an effort to resolve the ongoing conflict between the Inspector-General (IG) of the National Police Service and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security held a meeting with Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Professor Kithure Kindiki.
This meeting marked the first attempt to address the public dispute that had caused embarrassment and eroded public confidence. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Committee had decided to seek clarification from the Attorney General, the government’s principal advisor, regarding the mandates of the two institutions in the security sector.
Additionally, the Committee had planned to invite the Cabinet Secretary to shed light on the incident and inform the lawmakers about the actions taken to alleviate the conflict.
During the meeting, Professor Kindiki explained to the lawmakers that the conflict had arisen due to a lack of understanding of each institution’s respective mandate.
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He expressed regret over the matter escalating to the point of causing public embarrassment and issued a public apology on behalf of the IG and the Chairperson of the NPSC, assuring that such an incident would not occur again.
Acknowledging that conflicts of this nature are not unprecedented, Professor Kindiki drew a parallel to a past disagreement between the former Chairperson of the NPSC, Mr. Johstone Kavundi, and the then Inspector General of Police.
Regarding the steps taken to address the conflict, Professor Kindiki informed the Committee that he had immediately called for a meeting between the two parties to establish a truce and encourage a collaborative approach in their operations.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the actions of both institutions constituted a breach of Chapter Six of the Constitution, which could potentially lead to their removal from office.
While attributing the dispute to a clash in understanding the respective mandates of the two institutions, Professor Kindiki emphasized that a resolution could only be achieved through an advisory from the Attorney General or a judicial interpretation by the constitutional courts.
However, Committee Members, led by Chairperson Honorable Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West), asserted that the Cabinet Secretary’s role should not be limited to firefighting but should encompass providing leadership and policy direction as mandated by the constitution.
They suggested that rather than resorting to legal action, the Cabinet Secretary and the Committee should spearhead a process to find an amicable way forward.
The Committee Members stressed the importance of the IG and the Commission working together for the benefit of the country.
They questioned why the conflict had escalated to its current state when the IG and his two deputies are also members of the Commission.
They argued that any issues falling under the Commission’s jurisdiction should be resolved internally. Additionally, the lawmakers called for a review of the recent promotion and recruitment processes, which were at the center of the conflict.
Both Committee Members and the Cabinet Secretary expressed their intention to review Article 246 of the Constitution, the National Police Service Act, and other related provisions in order to address any loopholes in the law that could potentially lead to future conflicts between the two institutions.
“Mandates are provided for by law. Any recruitments or promotions that deviate from the law are invalid. There have been complaints of favoritism and nepotism in recent transfers and promotions, which must be examined,” noted Honorable Peter Kaluma (Homabay Town).
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