The police unit has been on the receiving end for a number of good and bad reasons in the past but the issues concerning them have been looked into one by one and each at a time but we are not there yet, a lot need to be done to bring sanity into the department.
From extra judicial killing,corruption, disobedience to the rule of law,incompetence and impersonation among other are some of the issues that the newly appointed I.G will find in his table of contents if he is confirmed as the next an to take after Joseph Boinet whose term had been marred by a lot of controversies.
The nominee for position of Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai was on Thursday hard pressed by Members of Parliament to explain how he intends to uphold the rule of law specifically cases of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and incompetence.
Though he often requested the legislators to allow “my actions to speak for themselves” if his nomination is approved, he vowed to crack down on rogue officers, not as a group but as individuals.
“On extra-judicial killings, the law is clear when a police officer is justified to use a gun and if it doesn’t fall in that box, nobody in the police service is above the law. If confirmed, I will ensure that human lives are respected and protected as it should be,” Mutyambai said.
He further committed to address police welfare more so by lobbying for increased house allowances and harness the relationship among security officers in a bid to enhance service delivery.
“I am aware of the changes in the police service including the house allowance which they are now being given but even that I still feel is not enough because officers are based in areas where rental houses are a bit expensive and whatever they are being offered now will not be enough; service delivery is key and so is the welfare of our security officers,” he said.
Members of the Joint Committee on Administration and Security were also concerned how Mutyambai was preparing to deal with the issue of corruption, a vice that the government is determined to eliminate.
“I understand that corruption is a problem in our country and we all need to join hands in fighting it. So, if confirmed, I will Initiate a system that will enhance accountability within the National Police Service. I will work closely with relevant agencies to create synergy in the fight against corruption.”
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula raised the issue of terrorism and sought to know what the IG nominee thought about the Kenya Defence Forces’ presence in Somalia.
“We have witnessed terror attacks in our country, and I wonder what you think concerning our security officers’ presence in our neighbouring country; shouldn’t we protect our country first?” Wetangula questioned.
In his response, Mutyambai said the presence of security officers in Somalia will not compromise Kenya’s security and promised to do all it takes to ensure the borders are safe and all citizens are protected.
President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated Mutyambai on March 13 to be the next Inspector General of Police following Joseph Boinnet’s end of tenure.
Mutyambai is currently the Deputy Director of Counter-Terrorism Coordination at the National Intelligence Service.
Through Executive Order No.4 of 2019, the President also appointed Boinnet as the CAS in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.
If approved by the committee, Mutyambai will serve as the IG for a four-year non-renewable term