IPOA calls for major reforms in police service

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) chairman Macharia Njeru now says reforms in the National Police Service (NPS) should start during the national recruitment exercise.

Njeru wants the annual police recruitment, that has always been marred by corruption allegations, professionalized and police deployment, integration and equipping also reviewed.

He was speaking during the Outstanding Police Service Awards, where Police Inspector General Joseph Boinnet warned that corrupt Police officers will be dealt with and removed from the service.

Speaking at the same event, US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec called  for an end to corruption and extra judicial killings, further calling for Kenyan public to be empowered to fight corruption.

During the event Andrew Mwenda Kituku from Igembe South CID Headquarters in Meru was declared overall winner and awarded a gold medal, David Kipkorir Bii, from Kairo Police Patrol Base Murang’a was awarded a silver medal, and Kerich Simon Kiptanui from Ifo Station in Garissa declared the second runners up.

The police commission is seeking to recruit 10,000 officers in a bid to enhance security in the country.

This comes as the Kenya Prisons Service plans to recruit more than 3,000 personnel in a countrywide exercise scheduled April 27th, 2016.

Those seeking to join the prison service must have a minimum grade of D+ and above, and be aged between 18 and 28.

Commissioner General Isaiah Osugo says the exercise will be conducted in 291 centres at the constituency levels and has asked those interested to be physically present during the recruitment exercise.

The prisons department will also recruit technicians and artisans in various fields, including health workers, teachers, agricultural officers, cooks, videographers and welders.