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Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has found himself at loggerheads with some of President William Ruto’s allies who have been intimidating and threatening police officers in their work.

Koome now says there are increasing attempts by politicians and senior Government officials to control the police service and undermine its independence.

In the last week, there have been several cases where State officials have directly interfered with police operations.

In one of the cases involving land in the Nairobi region, a senior Government official got involved in the case and directed the investigating office not to take any action against some suspects.

The senior official even threatened to transfer the officer from the region.

In another case, Uasin Gishu Women Rep Gladys Shollei was captured threatening some officers with firm action, including transfers, following cases of theft that were reported in the area.

“The OCS must leave Uasin Gishu. I have said today…You will not be transferred. You will have to leave the police service,” Shollei is captured saying.

President William Ruto had earlier said that the police service was expected to perform their duties independently and professionally and likewise subject themselves to oversight by appropriate agencies.

Following Shollei’s outbursts, Koome on Sunday warned that there were politicians who claimed that they were going to transfer or dismiss some police officers.

“Such utterances are null and void. The National Police Service is an independent constitutional office with direction and command under the Inspector General,” said Koome.

“We hereby request national leaders especially politicians to refrain from making public utterances likely to cause disaffection within the National Police Service,” he added.

The Inspector General instead directed police commanders to continue discharging their duties professionally without favour or fear of intimidation.

Criminal activities

But opinions were divided with some Kenyans supporting the politicians. A member of the public said the politicians were the voice of the people and it was normal for them to complain.

“But the facts still remain the same. Criminal activities happening under the noses of the police! What are you going to do about it?” another Kenyan asked.

Ruto’s administration had promised not to interfere with the police service.

In September last year, the Kenya Kwanza government made changes in the security sector, which were seen as the culmination of the new administration’s vow to overhaul the security docket.

Some politicians have also been accused of interfering with other issues like transfers, deployment and promotions.

Currently, over 2,000 police officers are on salary stoppage for various reasons, including failure to report to new stations after being transferred.

The Kenya Police Service (KPS) headquarters has, for example, written to commanders to send detailed information on individual officers whose salaries have been stopped.

Salaries have been stopped due to various reasons including audit queries, absconding duty or desertion, non-compliance with biometric headcount and wealth declaration, transfer defaulter, and prolonged sickness. Police headquarters has also requested information about officers whose court cases have been finalised plus the recommendations.

Immediately after he took over, President Ruto announced financial independence for the police and urged them to improve their efficiency.

“Now henceforth, the police will have an independent budget. We will allocate them the resources as is being done by Parliament, and we will begin to make demands of them on matters of security,” the President said.