Oku Kaunya

By Standard Reporter

In January 2004, while he was the Uasin Gishu DC, Nyanza deputy PC Oku Kaunya, called for the abolition of the Administration Police and the Provincial Administration.

He was supporting a section of delegates to the National Constitution Conference who wanted the Provincial Administration removed in the Draft Constitution that was defeated in the 2005 referendum.

Kaunya’s comments were as dramatic as they were surprising to the AP command, especially its Commandant Kinuthia Mbugua who had waged a spirited battle to have the unit retained.
Administration police officers during a public function. Photos: File/Standard


In one of the most candid appraisal of the unit, Kaunya said the AP had "completely failed to live up to the expectations of the public".

"Some of us were ordered to stop political rallies and we blindly obeyed yet our job descriptions only involve providing security and co-ordination of development," he said.

And so when he was promoted in May 2007 to head the Administration Police Training College, a post that put him second to Mbugua in AP chain of command, many wondered what kind of relationship he would have with his senior.

"We knew there was bound to be problems," said a senior AP official who retired in 2008, but who preferred to talk in confidence due to his close relationship with the two officials.

"The two did not share the same ideals. Kaunya was a progressive modernist while Mbugua is from the old school," said the retired officer.

It was not surprising to him when the two clashed over the use of APs as PNU agents in the run-up to the 2007 General Election.

Kaunya is said to be among the few senior AP officials who opposed the operation.

Bullet-proof jackets

"They argued that it was wrong for the police to take sides in a political contest," said an AP official familiar with the operation.

"Furthermore, they argued that it would damage the image of the AP Force, which was reforming after decades of misuse by political parties."

Legally, the use of APs was in contravention of the Public Officer Ethics Act 2003, section 16(1,a) which states: "A public officer shall not in or in connection with the performance of his duties as such, act as an agent for or so as to further the interest of a political party."

Their objections were, however, overruled by higher-ranking officials who included influential politicians with strong ties to State House.

Last month, Kaunya went into hiding claming threats to his life. The threats are linked to efforts by certain individuals to cover up clandestine AP operations in the 2007 presidential election.

Kaunya’s tribulations began early in June 2008 over a publicised clash with Mbugua over rank insignia.
Kinuthia Mbugua

Mbugua had interdicted Kaunya for allegedly putting on rank insignia of the ranks of the AP commandant, like Mbugua’s. Although he was later returned to his post in December 2007 that did not end his tribulations.

To ensure he did not testify in the Waki Commission, Kaunya was sent off for an impromptu ‘holiday’ in Thailand for the period of the Waki Commission sittings.

When he returned, he was given a scholarship to Karen-based National Defence College from which he graduated last December.

"The motive of the course was also suspect because it is meant for officials of the rank of Senior Assistant Commandant. Kaunya is a rank above this," explained a source close to Kaunya.

Despite concerted attempts to prevent him from giving testimony to the Waki Commission, Kaunya is said to have given evidence in camera, which fuelled the urgency to have him removed from AP command.

When President Kibaki announced changes in the Provincial Administration last year, Kaunya was posted as a deputy PC in Nyanza, where he is serving under Francis Mutie, who was a DO under him when he was Uasin Gishu senior DC.

Despite the controversy that has surrounded his term, some in the force credit Mbugua for restoring pride to a once forgotten force.

For many years, the force was neglected and survived many attempts to abolish it. In an interview with a local newspaper in 2008, Mbugua said the force had only six official cars when he took charge in August 19, 2003.

Today the force is reputed to be the best equipped of the civilian forces. This change of fortune is attributed to Mbugua’s closeness to top Government officials.

Succession matters

However, the future of the force now hangs in the balance after the commandant’s two-year extension expired on March 31. His replacement has not been announced yet.

Kaunya’s departure complicated succession matters at AP. In terms of experience and academic qualifications, Kaunya was best placed to succeed Mbugua.
Oku Kaunya

Now, two commandants are directly in line to succeed Mbugua. There is Omar Shurie who is the senior deputy commandant of APTC. There is also Samuel Arachi who is the head of Security of Government Building Unit.

But there is a challenge, insiders say. Despite long service Shurie leadership would frustrate a force trying to shake off a tag that it is a preserve of the semi-educated.

Though educated, Arachi may also not ascend to the helm due to his ‘ethnic’ origins. Officials are apprehensive of having another person from Mt Kenya region to head the force.

MacGoye, who once headed APTC, has also been tipped as Mbugua’s possible replacement.

However, another senior official close to Mbugua said chances are high that the commandant’s term could be extended yet again.

"As of now, there is no one within the AP force who has the right qualifications to replace him. And in any case, Mbugua is still fit to lead the force."