Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Interior Cabinet Secretary-nominee Kithure Kindiki says he will rid the country of criminals, bandits, terrorists and cattle rustlers, if his selection as minister is approved by Parliament.

The law professor, who was being vetted by the National Assembly Committee on Appointments, told the lawmakers that he would fight to improve the welfare and working conditions of the National Police Service (NPS).

Prof Kindiki said he would be ruthless on  criminals, even as he promised to operate within the law and uphold human rights.

“As soon as I take office, my first assignment will be to ensure that we free this country from criminals, bandits, terrorists, and cattle rustlers. I will remain focused until this problem is over, even if it means going to live in the North Rift,” said Kindiki.

Uphold human rights

He told the 21-member committee that in some of the most secure countries, ruthlessness with criminals is matched with respect for human rights, adding that law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear.

“Force must be used but I have assured the nation that we will follow the law. There will be no extrajudicial killings and no abuse of human rights. Violence is not an option but it is one of the options. Even the most established democracies must use violence to protect 99 per cent of citizens against the 1 per cent that wants to destroy democracy”, he said.

Kindiki was responding to concerns by Pokot South MP David Pkosing on the conduct of security officers in regions suffering bandit attacks.

While calling on the MPs to approve him to be the Interior CS, Kindiki said he would work with security personnel for citizen empowerment.

The former Senate Deputy Speaker, while responding to questions from MPs, promised to deal with the many roadblocks being erected by police on various highways, adding that he would ensure there are new ways of arresting traffic offenders.

“The issue of roadblocks is outdated; we need to come up with modern ways of punishing lawbreakers on the road. I will try to ensure that I curb bribes to police officers on the roads,” said Kindiki.

On recruitment to NPS, Kindiki said no Kenyan would have to pay cash to rogue officers.

If appointed, the former Tharaka Nithi Senator also said he would ensure security officers avoid politics and serve Kenyans equally. He added that the President has already said it is not the intention of his administration to use police officers in politics, adding that he would  refrain from interfering in any way with the independence of the police.

On corruption in recruitment drives, the legal scholar said he would do whatever it takes to make sure that no Kenyan pays even a single shilling for a child who merits to be recruited into the police service, the prison service and other formations under this Ministry.

According to Kindiki, police and prison officers play a critical role in securing the country and should be well remunerated and their terms of service improved.

“I intend to vigorously fight for the welfare of  police and prison officers because of the critical role they play in securing our nation”, he said.

He further promised that under his leadership, he would ensure that no protection is afforded to any officer or person associated with drug cartels and barons.

Sh544m net worth

Prof Kindiki said he has a net worth of Sh544 million from land, buildings and bank deposits of about Sh50 million. He runs several businesses and is a consultant for local and international companies.

The 50-year-old legal scholar boasts 22 years experience in law practice and is listed among counsels licensed to practice law at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

Kindiki was born in Tharaka Nithi, where he went to school, and later joined Lenana School for his secondary education before proceeding to Moi University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree.

He proceeded to the Kenya School of Law for a postgraduate diploma and furthered his education at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, where he obtained a Master’s in Law and a Ph.D in the same university.