Rights groups fault police vetting team

EVANS HABIL | Nation. Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) Executive Director Peter Kiama (right) and Centre for Law and Research International (CLARION) Executive Director Morris Odhiambo who are also members of the Police Reforms Working Group-Kenya at a Nairobi hotel January 14, 2014.  

In Summary

• “We are concerned that financial probity is taking up almost the entire vetting time at the expense of probe on human rights record, competence and professionalism,” Peter Kiama, Director of Independent Medico-Legal Unit said.
• At least three senior police officers have already been shown the door after they were found unfit to continue serving.

By OTIATO GUGUYU
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Human rights groups have faulted the National Police Service (NPSC) vetting panel, saying the process has become more of a financial audit.

“We are concerned that financial probity is taking up almost the entire vetting time at the expense of probe on human rights record, competence and professionalism,” Peter Kiama, Director of Independent Medico-Legal Unit said.

He was speaking at a press conference in Nairobi where the Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG-K), an umbrella organisation of human rights groups, raised a red flag over what they termed as a possible ‘…watering down of the goal of ascertaining the suitability and competence for police officers.

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“Already, information from our networks across the country indicate that the overemphasis on finances is leading to a growing apprehension,” Mr Kiama pointed out.

(Read: Vetting of top officers exposes high levels of graft and opulence in force)

According to the tool used in vetting the 80,000 police officers, the Johnston Kavuludi-led team relies on records on human rights violations, corruption, competence, skills and experience in addition to the financial probity as a basis for giving officers a clean bill of health.

SHOWN THE DOWN

At least three senior police officers have already been shown the door after they were found unfit to continue serving.

(Read: Top cops fired over millions in bank accounts)

Investigations extended to the officers' spouses' accounts, visits to their spouse's places of work, rural homes, and businesses.

The human rights and governance NGOs also want the deadline for submitting information on police officers by the public moved to January 24.

According to PRWG-K, the seven days given by the commission for the public to submit information on 182 senior assistant commissioners and commissioners of police was insufficient.

“We have been monitoring the exercise since December last year and we believe the timelines are grossly inadequate. We recommend at least ten days for this exercise to be concluded later this month,” said Kiama.

He was quick not to heap all blame to the committee pointing out that Kenyans must shun ignorance and seize this golden opportunity to change the police force.

“For the first time the country has a realistic opportunity to realign policing towards public safety and security, we can either choose to seize and transform national policing or live with an incompetent and unprofessional service” he said

PRWG-K also noted several gaps in the vetting process including low engagement in public communication “…beyond the occasional comments to the media by the chairperson.”

They also demanded that the commission ‘squeeze’ answers from officers who were tactfully evading questions during the sessions aired on live television.

“The commission needs to demand outright answers to questions and concerns instead of allowing officers to give lengthy speeches with a deliberate intention of taking up as much time as possible to limit questions,” Mr Kiama quipped.

The human rights group has set up a vetting secretariat as part of their initiative to continue working with the commission by assisting Kenyans understand how to submit information.

They called on the public to prioritise submitting information on human rights violation by the force, acts of corruption and contravention of Chapter Six provisions of the Kenyan constitution.