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 A unilateral decision by the chairman of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) to stop the vetting of officers from specialised units has been cited as one of the reasons that led to increased cases of extrajudicial killings and other crimes.

A group of officers seeking the removal of NPSC boss Eliud Kinuthia (pictured) have accused him of failure to professionalise the service, incompetence, disobeying court orders, nepotism, and misuse of State resources.

In a petition to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula, the police officers said that though vetting was mandatory, Kinuthia stopped the exercise, which started with the Johnstone Kavuludi-led commission.

 The officers further said some disciplinary cases were referred back to the service for action. “It is for this reason that the officers became bold and committed atrocities against Kenyans and visitors,” the officers stated.

Kinuthia is also accused of failing to comply with orders issued on May 17, 2019, by the Labour Court on payment of graduate salaries.

In another court judgment issued on April 28, 2022, the chairman allegedly refused to honour summons by the court to show cause why he should not be cited for contempt.

Case with EACC

 “Kinuthia has an active case with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) where he is accused of abuse of office, nepotism, irregular recruitment and dismissals at NPSC, and misuse of government resources.

The officers also want action taken against Kinuthia for involvement in politics, especially before this year’s General Election. “He should explain the use of per diems and other resources paid to him of up to Sh8 million, including misuse of police motor vehicles,” they say.

 The chairman allegedly assigned himself 19 police officers — an inspector, a sergeant, two corporals and 15 constables. Also, they accuse him of misusing some officers on personal and domestic chores at his residence.

“Parliament should investigate why a chairman of a commission should have excess officers as he claims he was allocated by the former Inspector General, Hillary Mutyambai,” they say.

The petitioners also accuse the chairman of nepotism by illegally recruiting his relatives, including his son, wife, brother and sister-in-law.

A week ago, two activists also petitioned the National Assembly to eject Kinuthia from office. Evans Okumu and Josephat Masinza want Kinuthia investigated and removed from office over what they claim is mishandling of police officers’ affairs.

 The two accused him of violating constitutional law on integrity, incompetence and gross misconduct in the performance of his duties.

 They also claim Kinuthia has been making selective directions to the inspector general “to continue favouring 1,233 graduate officers in payment of enhanced salaries while, at the same time, discriminating against similarly qualified officers numbering 1,774.”

 They also said Kinuthia has been unwilling to implement policies that would professionalise the police service and improve the welfare of officers. “Shocking incidents of suicide by police officers are directly connected to the suffering/mistreatment of junior officers by the incompetent administration of the National Police Service,” the petition reads.