Internal Security minister Katoo Ole Metito with his PS Mutea Iringo and police commissioner Mathew Iteere at GTI Matuga , security measures at the Coast has been beefed-up following the major crackdown where MRC chief Omar Mwamnwadzi was arrested .photo Elkana Jacob
A section of the police have dismissed the Sh3.7 billion released by Treasury on Thursday to pay salary arrears and are demanding the 42 per cent increase promised by the government.
Angry officers who called the Star newsroom said they have only been given 8.5 per cent increase but they had expected 42 per cent after they were awarded 28 per cent in the first phase and 14 per cent instead of 28 per cent in the second phase.
"We expected 42 per cent increment because that is what was remaining of the sum that was awarded in 2010. The 8.5 per cent translates to Sh2,000 for each officer whereas 42 percent translates to Sh12,000. Can you get the joke this government is playing on us? Someone somewhere doesn't seem to understand and appreciate the work police do and this might have disastrous consequences," one officers told the Star on the phone yesterday.
Internal Security Minister Katoo ole Metito on Thursday night announced that Treasury had released Sh3.7 billion for the pay increase backdated to October 1. This, he said, would benefit regular and administration police and prisons officers.
The funds are also expected to cater for the recruitment of 7,000 police officers this month. Police are now waiting for the circular that will confirm the percentage of the salary increase before deciding the next move.
Junior officers around the country on Thursday began a go-slow that affected some essential services including cash-in-transit to and from banks after the government delayed the third and final phase of their salary increase.
The officers have in the last few days been sending SMS texts to colleagues countrywide urging them to boycott services if the promised increase is not paid by November.
One of the texts seen by The Star read, “We cannot take any more of this. We operate under deplorable working condition and have poor pay!”
The police have since last year been intermittently blocking their communication equipment to express their discontent over the delayed implementation of the housing and salary increments.
The police were awarded a 28 per cent increase in 2010 and promised a similar amount to be spread out over three years. However, in 2011, the government only paid 12 per cent.
The officers this year were expecting the government to pay last year's 16 per cent arrears and the 28 per cent increase due this year but this has also not happened.
The go-slow affects the regular police, Administration Police, General Service Unit and Prisons Department who were all included the uniformed services pay increase package.
The officers expected a 42 per cent pay increase included in their August salaries but it was delayed. They were promised that Treasury would release the amount by the end of October but that has not been done either.
Police communication handsets through which senior officers issue operational instructions have been interrupted intermittently for over two months now and instructions are now being issued through individual mobile phones of the senior officers.
Yesterday, services in most financial institutions in Mombasa remained paralysed after Administration Police officers continued with the go-slow.
A spot check by the Star indicates police stayed away in at least 18 bank branches in Mombasa and refused to escort cash in transit.
Junior officers, who spoke to the Star on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, termed the increase as a mockery and vowed to continue with the go-slow.
The officers gathered at AP camp at Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa as banks hired private guards.
A senior AP officer in Mombasa confirmed the go-slow that lasted for the better part of the morning yesterday.
“I have deployed officers in all the banking institutions. I have explained all the aspects of the salary increment and they have agreed to go back to work, so there is no cause for alarm,” said the officer.
Police radio equipment interruption affected the coordination between Urban OCPD and Likoni Police Station yesterday.
According to sources, the officers jammed the communication systems forcing the senior officers to use their own cell phones to communicate with their charges.
Officers drawn from the Crime Prevention Unit said their radio communication was interrupted forcing them to use their cell phones to coordinate communication.
"We have no choice other than to block the communication system," said a CID officer adding, "I am ready for any eventuality,"
“The go-slow is on and it will have far-reaching implications on security if the government doesnot honor our demands,” said a police officer who cannot be named due to fear of victimisation.
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