State lifts freeze on police hiring

By FRED MUKINDA fmukinda@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, August 10 2010 at 21:00
In Summary

-PS says 7,000 officers to join force this month as Prof Saitoti prepares nine Bills to make unit more professional

The government has lifted the freeze on police recruitment and announced 7,000 fresh officers would be hired this month.

The temporary ban was imposed by the Justice Philip Ransley Commission on Police Reforms to allow the government to review the training programme.

Internal Security Permanent Secretary Francis Kimemia said the proposal had been implemented, paving way for recruitment.

“To improve performance we have retrained instructors and other personnel under the new curricula. I’m glad to note that over 10,000 serving personnel have been trained in the last six months,” Mr Kimemia said.

He spoke as it emerged that at least nine Bills had been lined up to harmonise police reforms with the new Constitution.

Internal Security minister George Saitoti said he would table the draft laws in Parliament.

If passed, the new laws would radically change police operations. Key among the changes is the creation of a National Police Service, bringing the regular police and Administration Police under the command of an Inspector-General.

Prof Saitoti allayed fears the reforms would render some officers irreverent.

The changes are in line with the Ransley report that proposed senior officers be vetted afresh and those found wanting sent home.

“Reform in the police is not intended to punish any officer. I am sure you (officers) stand to gain much more. It will ensure your capacity is enhanced and provide more knowledge.

“It will make the country better, more stable and the economy will grow,” Prof Saitoti said.

The minister and PS spopke at the Shauri Moyo AP Camp where he commissioned residential houses for junior officers, on Tuesday.