Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Eliud Lagat made impromptu visits to various police stations and roadblocks and witnessed what he termed as challenges the officers there face.
Lagat who had travelled to Eldoret for the conferment event of the town’s city status decided to move by road.
In the process, he stopped at Nakuru Central, Cheptulu, Mbale, and Kondele police stations as well as Vihiga County Headquarters and Regional Headquarters for Nyanza.
“I emphasized the importance of serving members of the public responsibly, professionally and being guided by the law while being accountable for their every action,” he said on the phone.
At one point, he made an unexpected stop by the road at Kapkangani area under Kapsabet Patrol Base, where he held a brief discussion with traffic officers who were conducting traffic duties at the time.
Lagat asked the officers to steer clear of corruption, be accountable for their actions, and serve members of the public with dignity.
Witnesses said some of the officers at the roadblock did not believe it was Lagat who had visited and tried to brush him off.
It was until they saw the other senior officers alight that they were called to order and welcomed him.
Lagat said the officers in the field play a key role in maintaining law and order.
He however challenged them to be responsive and responsible.
He commended the officers for their dedication to duty and appealed to them to embrace modern-day policing in addressing security challenges.
On mental wellness, Lagat noted that officers are often afflicted by mental health issues, urging them to seek assistance through National Police Service (NPS) Mental wellness departments or by speaking to those close to them.
He promised to make more such visits across the country to ensure service delivery.
The move by the police boss has steered debate in the service with some of those in badly managed stations asking him to visit there.
Lagat said he does not understand why station commanders leave their stations dirty and poorly managed.
“Some of the issues I have witnessed do not need money to address. You do not need money to be clean in and around the station.”
“Let officers always attend to the needs of the public without delay. Why would an OCS say he is sleeping and so the public should wait for him? We have deputies and others who can handle such issues,” he said.
Lagat also took issue with corruption claims and warned his officers not to condone it.
“Don’t try it under our watch now.”
