Hillary Mutyambai sworn in as new IG, vows to eliminate corruption in police service

Hillary Nzioki Mutyambai has been sworn in as Inspector General of Police officially taking over from Joseph Boinnet, whose four-year tenure ended last month.

Mutyambai took the oath of office on Monday morning in a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice David Maraga at the Supreme Court building.

In his speech, Mutyambai vowed to strongly deal with corruption within the National Police Service (NPS), which has been previously ranked top among the most corrupt government departments.

The new IG said he will initiate an internal affairs unit that will independently investigate corruption issues within the police service.

“I am fully in support the ongoing fight against corruption and I want to be clear that we must all join hands in the fight against the vice. We as the National Police Service we play our enforcement role guided by high fidelity to the law and also ensure we eliminate corruption within our rank and file,” said Mutyambai.

“I will initiate a system that enhances accountability and responsibility with the National Police Service that will enhance and expand the work of the independent internal affairs unit to investigate corruption cases within the police service.”

He said the the internal affairs unit will be decentralised and will operate in the regions and counties.

Mutyambai further pointed out that on his top priorities will be to improve service delivery at police stations as well as working conditions for police officers.

“I intend to continue with the reforms under the theme of enhancing police service delivery at the grassroots and we will be keen to transform each police station into a centre of delivery for policing services.

“We will endeavour to build new police stations and renovate the old ones to meet the modern policing standards and improve the working conditions of our police officers,” said Mutyambai.

Mutyambai assured that he would engage with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) on issues of house allowance to ensure that the men and women in uniform live in decent and affordable houses.

He also promised to make sure that the National Police Service Referral Hospital is constructed and becomes operational as soon as possible.

Under his command, Mutyambai said he will implement the police service information management system which seeks to digitise the occurrence book and the case file management system.

“This will enable members of the public to track the process of their complains and enable them give us feedback and compliments,” he said.

He also assured members of the public that he will crack the whip on rogue officers who violate human rights.

“I will endeavour to make sure all police officers respect human rights and fundamental freedoms as enshrined in the constitutional,” said Mutyambai.

His nomination as Inspector General of Police was unanimously approved by Parliament, paving way for President Uhuru Kenyatta to officially appoint him to lead the National Police Service.

“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred on me by Article 245 (2) (a) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, as read together with section 12 (8) of the National Police Service Act, 2011, I, Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, appoint— HILLARY NZIOKI MUTYAMBAI
to be the Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect,” reads a gazette notice dated April 8, 2019.

In its report approving Mutyambai’s nomination, the Joint Committee on Administration and National Security of the National Assembly and Defense and Foreign Relations of the Senate, said the new IG demonstrated vast experience in policing, security, intelligence and investigation during his vetting.

The 55-year-old, who has 27 years of investigative and law enforcement experience, previously served as Deputy Director Counter Terrorism at the National Intelligence Service.

Mutyambai becomes the third Inspector General of Police under the new constitutional dispensation after Boinnet who took office in February 2015; replacing David Kimaiyo who is the current Chairman of the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) board.