Police officers in Kenya have been complaining of the unfavorable working environments including poor housing.
Now the officers have sued Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and the National Police Service Commission over delayed salary increment.
They are seeking the court to declare that officers who hold degrees and are on a salary scale below job group J to have been discriminated against.
“The NPS and NPSC have been whimsical in processing the upgrades,” read the petition.
It continued, “They have been selectively and maliciously upgrading some of the officers while leaving out others.”
The petitioners were among 3,739 officers who submitted their certificates to the commission for vetting but are yet to be promoted.
Some officers acquired the degrees before they were hired while others acquired the degree qualifications in the course of their work.
Ordinarily, police constables hired with KCSE certification are in job group F while those with degrees are in job group J.
The police officers petition was filed by Musyoka Murambi law firm and Attorney General Paul Kihara is also listed as a respondent.
In March 2018, the government refused to increase the salaries of graduate constables.
Officers who were awarded pay rises on the basis of having acquired additional academic qualifications would not only retain their original salaries but designations as well.
Do you think its time for the government to improve the officer’s working environment?