DIG Grace Kaindi’s replacement ‘utter nonsense’ – Raila Odinga

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of flouting the constitution by dismissing the Deputy Inspector General of Police Grace Kaindi and appointing Mr. Joel Kitili to take over from her in an acting capacity.

Mr. Odinga said the President subjected the nation to “a charade over the dismissal and appointment of officers to the National Police Service” saying no acting capacities are applicable to constitutional offices.

“The appointment of acting Deputy Inspector General of Police is unconstitutional. The law provides for the appointment of a substantive office holder in all constitutional offices. There is no provision for appointment of persons to act in a constitutional office,” said Odinga in a statement.

“You can’t have an acting Attorney General, Acting Controller of Budget.”

Odinga said the President has circumvented all the constitutional limitations to his powers and that he has no authority to empower people to act in constitutional offices.

“Furthermore, the National Police Service Act is clear that one of the three top positions in police has to be a woman,” added Odinga.

“The excuse that there was no senior woman is utter nonsense since the Act only requires the person to be superintendent of police and above and at least 15 years in the Police Service. There are many women with this qualification in the Service.”

Odinga said the command and control of the police is an exclusive constitutional jurisdiction of the Inspector General and therefore the Cabinet Secretary for Interior Major Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery was wrong to transfer security officers.

Further, the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader said that it was very disturbing to hear reports that Mrs. Grace Kaindi had been subjected to embarrassment by being ejected from her office forcefully.

“Mrs. Kaindi has served the country for many years in different positions within the force. She deserved better. She deserved some respect. The manner of her removal from office is not only disrespectful and inhuman but it also sends very wrong and worrying signals to all public servants toiling for our nation.”

Odinga said that the Jubilee administration has tried to revert to the dictatorial-style adopted by their predecessors.

“President Kenyatta and Jubilee must stop hoping that they can reverse the clock and rule the nation in the same way their mentors ruled. We shall not allow the era of primitive governance to haunt our nation again,” read Odinga’s statement.

“We will not allow this country and its officers to be subjected to disgrace just because a clique is resisting change and praying for a return to the era of their mentors.”

Kaindi was on Tuesday appointed an Ambassador of Kenya and her place taken by Mr. Kitili in an acting capacity.