Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has revealed that an impeachment scare forced the Inspector General of police Japhet Koome and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) to end power wrangles.
Speaking before the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee, on Thursday, October 12, Kindiki clarified the roles of both parties.
Led by Eliud Kinuthia, the NPSC and IG Koome had failed to agree on promotions of officers in different departments.
Kindiki stated that he met both police bosses and informed them that they risked getting impeached because they were acting against the constitution.
“I am glad that the public exchanges that were taking place ended, and I have been informed that the parties have had meetings together.
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“I made it clear to both the commission and IG that the behavior that the nation was witnessing was impeachable conduct and either of them could be subjected to impeachment and violation of the constitution,” Kindiki stated.
Kindiki Explains Reason for the Wrangles and Impeachment Scare
He explained that the commission was responsible for making decisions pertaining to hiring officers and any other body was allowed to assume the role if delegated by the NPSC.
However, the inspector general believed that he could make the employment changes including promoting officers without the delegation, causing conflict between the two entities.
“The Inspector General believed that he did not require the delegation to make such changes while the commission believed that they had to delegate the power. Both parties are wrong.
“I made it clear that whereas the commission has the power, receiving recommendations from the IG is what is required. However, they are not affected until the commission gives the legal authority,” stated Kindiki.
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Responsibilities of the IG and the NPS
The Interior CS shed light on the responsibilities of both parties adding that the two entities were expected to work together to make the right security decisions.
“The power of IG are delegated powers and therefore when he promotes or transferred officers, he must get the concurrence of the commission. The commission is the entity that is legally empowered to do that by the constitution,
“It is not impossible for both parties to work together to make the right decisions. When the two offices were quarreling, I was able to call them and I made it clear that they must find a way of working together,’ added Kindiki.
In addition, he noted that every government agency ought to work together as no agency had the monopoly of power.
