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Abrupt police transfers will disturb families, Manyora warns

Analyst says policy should not target junior officers while excluding senior cops

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by MARGARET ACHIENG'

News12 October 2023 - 08:03
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In Summary


  • The analyst opined that before the transfers are effected the state should think about the officers' children.
  • The Interior boss further stated that any officer who does not comply with the 60-day directive will have their salary stopped forthwith.
Political analyst Herman Manyora.

Political analyst Herman Manyora on Thursday said the idea that no police officer should serve in one station for more than three years is invalid.

He said the order given by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday to transfer police officers who have served three years in one station should be implemented with consideration for the human aspect.

"It is important to take into consideration the interests of the officers because they have families," Manyora said.

"Abrupt transfers will disturb families."

The analyst opined that before the transfers are effected the state should think about the officers' children who may be attending schools in the areas where their parents are serving.

Manyora further stated that this policy should not target junior officers while leaving senior officers untouched.

The CS on Wednesday stated that the NPS has 60 days to implement the policy directive that no police officer should serve in one station for more than three years.

"No Police Officer should serve in one station for over three years. The signal communicating this directive has already been relayed," Kindiki said while appearing before the Senate.

The Interior boss further stated that any officer who does not comply with the 60-day directive will have their salary stopped forthwith.

Kindiki said that the policy was part of recommendations by the Task Force on Police Reforms chaired by Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga.

The task force was mandated to improve the terms and conditions of service and other reforms for members of police and prisons.

First, among the Task Force recommendations was that the National Police Service, the Prisons Service and the National Youth Service be moved to the security sector in regard to remuneration and terms of service.

"This way, the officers in three services will receive remuneration and other terms of service commensurate with the work they do," Ruto said.

Second, there will be two entry points into the National Police Service, which include constable and cadet levels.

The National Police Service Commission will also determine the requirements for the two pathways.

"At a time when crime is constantly evolving, this provision will attract more professionals to police service," the President said.

Third, the NPS transfer policy that no officer should remain at one station for more than three years is enforced.

"Going forward, it won't be possible for an officer to be promoted if they have served at only one station," Ruto said in agreement with the recommendation of the Taskforce on Police Reforms.

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