Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki says the transfer of police officers who have stayed in one police station for more than three years is “irreversible and non-negotiable”.
In a statement on Thursday, September 26, 2024, Kindiki revealed that 26,000 police officers have been transferred to new stations with the exercise targeting 46,000 officers.
“The Government policy on transfer of 42,000 police officers who have served in one station for more than three years is irreversible and non-negotiable. So far, 26,000 police officers have been transferred to new stations, and the exercise is ongoing,” Kindiki stated.
The exercise to transfer such officers started in March 2024 following an order by the CS, who revealed that some junior officers had stayed in one station for over 10 years.
Speaking in March, Kindiki claimed that some of the officers had created local interests in the communities, creating “unholy” alliances which abetted crime.
“They are the ones who have entered into the unholy alliance with some of the people who are destroying the country and they are the ones who even arrange protection fees,” Kindiki said in March.
Kindiki on extra-judicial killings
Kindiki has also defended the police against claims that they are orchestrating killings, abductions and enforced disappearances.
“The government does not have a policy on extrajudicial killings, abductions, or enforced disappearances. Any acts that are contrary to the law are investigated by the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Internal Affairs Unit of the National Police Service (NPS) and appropriate action taken against any security officer found culpable,” Kindiki added.
Theft of boda bodas
Kindiki has also announced enhanced measures to curb the rampant theft of boda bodas in the country, including increased police patrols.
“To curb killings and theft of boda bodas, the Government is implementing a litany of measures including the arrest and prosecution of attackers, increased police patrols across the country to deter and apprehend criminals, encouraging community policing and strengthening stakeholder engagement with County Governments, National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and management of boda boda operations and enhancing public awareness on boda boda safety and security measures,” he stated.
“In the long term, the government is committed to reforming the boda boda sector by streamlining data collection on accidents and the overall economic impact of the industry, reviewing policies and legislation in the sector and enhancing collaboration between the government, the private sector, civil society and boda boda operators.”
Kindiki spoke after appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security to respond to various questions on homeland security.
