The National Police Service Commission has advertised 514 vacancies already filled by Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome.
This follows the week-long standoff between a faction of commissioners- one led by Koome and the other by the chairman Eliud Kinuthia- over promotions of senior officers.
Koome with his deputies- Douglas Kanja and Noor Gabow - had Monday announced the promotion of the 514 officers after an event at the Office of the President.
They said they followed the law and that has been the norm.
But hours later, Kinuthia termed the move null and void and declared the move illegal.
He planned a press conference at a Mombasa hotel but cancelled it before the commission CEO Peter Leley released an unsigned statement that had no official letterhead also dismissing the promotions.
“The promotions are contrary to Article 246 of the Constitution of Kenya- 2010, the National Police Service Commission Promotion Regulations, 2015, Chapter 34 of the National Police Service Standing Orders, 2017 and the National Police Service Career Guidelines.”
"They are also unlawful and un-procedural as the Inspector General has no such authority in Law. The Commission cannot ascertain the merits of the said promotions,” Leley said in the statement.
Koome said he was within the law in what he was doing.
Come Friday, June 10, Leley put an advert in local newspapers saying that Executive Order No. 1 of 2023 of January 6, 2023, recognized the independence of the National Police Service Commission and National Police Service.
“Pursuant to Article 234 [3)(c) (iv) on the Mandate of the Public Service Commission and National Police Service Commission. Subsequently, pursuant to Article 246(3), 249(1)(2) and 239(5), as read with Section 2(0)(a), 3(1) and 6) of National Police Service Standing Orders Chapter 34 and Section 40) and 7) of Police Promotions Regulations Legal Notice No.88 of 2015, the National Police Service Commission declares and advertises for the following vacancies in the National Police Service.”
“The Commission hereby invites applications from qualified Police Officers to fill the following positions at the National Police Service,” read part of the notice which indicated candidates have until June 30 to apply.
But Koome sent an internal memo telling his officers not to apply.
This is because the advert was not clear on who should apply for what.
“It is an illegality and they know why they are doing it,” said an insider.
The advert said NPSC is committed to implementing the provisions of the Constitution, Article 232(1), on fair competition and merit, representation of Kenyans' diverse communities and affording equal employment opportunities to men and women, members of all ethnic groups and persons with disabilities.
“Shortlisted candidates shall be required to produce originals of their National Identity Card, academic and professional certificates and transcripts during interviews, and meet the requirement of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
The commission wants to fill six vacancies of the rank of Senior Inspector General of Kenya police, 22 Assistant Inspector General of police, 43 Commissioners of police, 160 Senior Superintendents of Police and 97 Superintendents of police.
In Administration Police, the commission said it intends to fill three positions of the rank of SAIG, five AIGs, 13 CPs, 21 SSP and 67 SPs while in DCI there are three SAIGs, five AIGs, 21 CPs, 39 SSPs and nine SPs.
These are the same positions that Koome had filled.
Koome announced the promotions which saw the newly-appointed Commandant of the General Service Unit, Eliud Lagat, the director-general of the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS), Bruno Shioso, Deputy Director of Criminal Investigations Nicholas Kamwende and the director of DCI’s Investigations Bureau (IB) Abdallah Komesha.
Also promoted to the same rank was David Birech, the Director of the Internal Affairs Unit.
All new regional police commanders — who were of the rank of Commissioner of Police — were also promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General (AIG).
They include Nairobi Regional Police commander Adamson Bungei, Mombasa’s Peter Kimani, North Eastern’s Tom Muriithi, Eastern’s Joseph Napeiyan, Esther Seroney (DCI Airport), Alfred Majimbo, Francis Ndiema, Said Kiprotich (DCI Operations) and Paul Wachira (Deputy Director, IB).