why Matiangi’s new police reforms have failed to take effect

Did you know that the new police reforms that  were introduced by interior cabinet secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i  have not taken effect until now? The reforms were launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta in September at Kenya school of governance in Kabete, on his return to China, but why are they taking long? Well, Inspector General Joseph Boinnet and DCI chief George Kinoti are battling over pending reforms that would strip detectives of their rank and require them to report to uniformed officers.

The two openly crossed swords at a meeting at DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road last Saturday.

Uhuru’s new Kenya police uniform

The session was called to contain a falling out between uniformed officers and their plainclothes colleagues over changes instituted by the National Police Service Commission.

The leadership and reporting changes are among far-reaching reforms also involving a dramatic change in uniform to non-militaristic blue, better housing, a new reporting structure for the Administration, Traffic and other police formations.

New Kenya police Uniform

Kinoti is said to be pushing for review of the changes announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta on September 13, requiring the more or less independent DCI officers to report to regional police commanders. Technically, the DCI chief is personally expected to report to the IG.

Yesterday, Kinoti did not comment on the discussions.

Boinnet has remained adamant, however, that the streamlined more cohesive structure announced by the President would not be altered.

Several persons attending the Saturday meeting said Boinnet urged the DCI to find alternative ways to redeploy senior officers who fear the changes will see them lose their rank, offices and status.

The Administrative Police, commanded by DIG Noor Gabow, will now focus on protective and border security and combat cattle rusting and banditry.

The regular police under command of DIG Edward Mbugua will focus on public safety and security.

The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) will focus on criminal investigations.

Most contested is the plan for DCI chiefs of all ranks to report to new commanders, the uniformed police, whom many consider inferior.

In the current set up, the office of the DCI is semi-autonomous, meaning its officers report directly to their seniors in the same department.

Tension has been brewing at the DCI after Uhuru made the announcement at the Kenya School of Government. All senior police chiefs save for Kinoti were present at the event attended by civil society groups and diplomats.

Kinoti has been pushing for a review of the ranking system to enable DCI chiefs, especially at top levels, to maintain the ranks of AIG.

He has proposed that Regional Police Commanders be promoted to the rank of Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police (SAIG).

The Police Service Board, mandated to look into matters of ranking, objects to the proposal.

On October 17, Kinoti called a crisis meeting attended by all senior DCI commanders. Top detectives opposed what they called loss of prestigious ranks and offices.

Currently, the highest ranking DCI commander in the field (Regional DCI chief) holds the rank of assistant Inspector General of police (AIG).

In the proposed changes, the regional police commander would be elevated to AIG.

The DCI commander operating under the regional police commander would hold a lower rank, possibly commissioner of police.

Lowering the ranks rankles most with DCI chiefs who want to retain their status of AIG.

This means, for instance, that a regional police commander in Nairobi will hold the rank of AIG, while the DCI chief in the same area will be a mere commissioner of police.

Image result for kenya police memes

At the earlier meeting, Kinoti promised he would raise the issue with his seniors and possibly President Kenyatta.

Do you think the proposed reforms would make any changes at the police service?

 

 

 

 

 

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