Police set to enjoy financial autonomy

President William Ruto yesterday signed an Executive Order giving the National Police Service financial autonomy.

Ruto, in his inaugural speech at the Kasarani Stadium, said the budget would be transferred from the Office of the President to office of the Inspector General of Police.

The IG, and not the Interior Principal Secretary, will be the Accounting Officer. He said the move  was aimed at ending dependency on Office of the President.

 Ruto said the Constitution expected the police boss to exercise independent command of the service.

He stated that he was concerned that the operational autonomy of the service had been undermined in what he described as the continued financial dependence on the Office of the President.

“As I address you, I have instructed that the instruments conferring financial autonomy to the NPS by transferring their budget from the Office of the President and designating the IG as the accounting officer be placed on my desk for signature,” he said.

The Head of State said the move would give impetus to the fight against graft and end weaponisation of the criminal justice system in the country.

Independent command

“As required by Article 245 of the Constitution, the IG is mandated to exercise independent command over NPS. The services operational autonomy, however, has been undermined by the continued financial dependence on the Office of the President. This situation is going to change,” he said.

He added that his administration will respect professional service and bring to an end the era of intimidation.

“No public servant, even chiefs and their assistants will be required to run political errands for any political party or formation,” he said.

President further pledged to strengthen the electoral commission capacity and governance institutions.