The National Police Service has been accused of reluctance in promoting police officers honoured as best performing in their fields during the inaugural Huduma ombudsman awards in 2014.
While expressing concern over the delay, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) said it was sad that despite approval by the Parliamentary Commission on Administrative Justice and a directive from President Uhuru Kenyatta who launched the awards, the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai has been adamant in promoting the officers.
LSK Southrift chairman Geoffrey Kipngetich who termed the act as demoralizing to the security officers questioned why it had taken the police service too long to consider the officers and promote them to higher ranks as a motivation to others.
Reading mischief on the ‘deliberate’ act by the service to give a deaf ear over it, Kipngetich claimed most of the officers who were picked and rewarded during the gala are being subjected to frustrations by their seniors since they are still serving in their respective levels.
“We have many officers who were supposed to be uplifted to higher ranks due to their outstanding work after being recognized as best public officers among others but it is unfortunate that the office of the Inspector General is yet to act which is totally wrong,” Kipngetich said.
Speaking to the press in Bomet, the official called on the commission’s chairperson Florence Kajuju to investigate the matter and ensure justice was served noting such was the only way to encourage public servants in their duties.
“These are individuals who have proven that officers in uniform are also human beings, they can perform their duties diligently but we wonder why they have been ignored,” he noted.
Speaking during an event in 2017, the former attorney general said while there are many challenges it was important to note that there are outstanding public officers who continue to make the country a better place.
Reached for a comment, police spokesman Charles Koskei said the matter was active in court hence he could divulge more details about it.
“The matter is pending in court, we can only discuss when a verdict has been given,” Koskei said.
