- Employment and Labour Relations Judge Byrum Ongaya certified the matter as urgent.
- Ongaya directed that the motion be filed and served within three days for inter parties hearing on June 25
Image: FILE
Two lobbyists have moved to court to challenge a decision by the Deputy Inspector General of Police that allegedly stopped 120 Kenya Police Service and Administration Police Service Officers from joining the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Crime Research Intelligence Bureau.
Commission for Human Rights and Justice and Genesis for Human Rights Commission say it is crucial that the courts intervene and prevent the county police commander Garissa County, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kenya Police Service, the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General (respondents), from blocking the career progression of the affected officers.
Employment and Labour Relations Judge Byrum Ongaya certified the matter as urgent but asked parties to consider holding talks and reach an agreement.
He at the same time directed that the motion be filed and served within three days for inter parties hearing on June 25
According to court documents, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations advertised positions granting opportunity to Kenya Police Service and Administration Police Service Officers to join the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Crime Research Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) as specialised officers of the National Police Service.
Julius Ogogoh the executive director of the Commission for Human Rights and Justice says a number of the said officers from the two police services applied and a number of the officers were shortlisted for an interview.
"Upon being notified of the outcome of the interviews, the Inspector General of Police (IG) authorised the absorption and immediate release of all the one hundred and twenty (120) Kenya Police Service and Administration Police Service Officers to join the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Crime Research Intelligence Bureau," Julius said.
"The news was received by the officers with jubilation, however, their celebration was shortlived."
He explains that on or about May 8, the Deputy Inspector General Kenya Police Service through a police signal which was replicated by the county commander of police Garissa County, to his commanders on May 9, all police drivers were stopped from joining the Directorate.
Julius in seeking the courts intervention said ‘This subsequent directive goes against the provisions of the National Police Service Standing Orders, employment laws and rules of natural justice as they not only contradicted with the directive of the highest-ranking officer in the service but also denied the affected officers an opportunity at advancing their career in the service."