The Principal Administrative Secretary in the Executive Office of the President, Arthur Amug Osiya was elected and sworn in as the chairman of the National Police Service Commission Recruitment Panel.
He took the oath at the Supreme Court and pledged integrity in the
process.
The panel is responsible for assessing and verifying applicants
for police positions.
This sets off the process of recruiting new members of NPSC
together with its chairman.
The other members are Moses Serem (Judicial Service Commission) and Prof. Marion Mutugi (Kenya National Commission on Human Rights).
Others are Dr. Cecillia Mutuku (Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission), Thomas
Okoth (National Gender and Equality Commission) Judith Walubengo (Public
Service Commission) and John Karani.
Their recruitment may take up to two months after which a
recruitment drive will be announced.
The former commissioners led by Eliud Kinuthia exited office after
the expiry of their six-year term.
The selection panel members were on Monday, February 17 sworn into office to start the process of recruiting the new commissioners before they elected Osiya as their chairman.
Public Service Commission Vice Chairperson Mary Kimonye, urged the selection panel for the appointment of members of the NPSC to be committed to the values and principles of public service as envisaged in the Constitution.
Kimonye said this when she presided over the inaugural meeting for the selection panel of members at Commission House, Nairobi.
She at the same time reiterated the need for the panel to ensure the process is discharged in an efficient transparent, and fair manner.
"To enhance public confidence in the key area of recruitment there is a need to adhere to the values and principles herein," she said.
The outgoing commissioners had had a controversial tenure with squabbles among
them.
For instance, Kinuthia publicly differed with former police boss
Japhet Koome on the operations of the service.
This was prompted by among others promotions within the service.
The quarrels derailed several police operations amid efforts to
address them.
It forced top officials at the Ministry of Interior to summon the
police bosses and commissioners for meetings in an effort to address the issues
at hand.
The main functions of the commission include recruiting and
appointing persons to hold or act in office in the police service, confirming
appointments and determining promotions and transfers within the National Police
Service.
They also observe due process, exercise disciplinary control over
and remove persons holding or acting in offices within the service.
The commission has been making efforts to improve the welfare of
the service at large.
This includes creating a counselling unit to focus on mental issues in the service.
