Sacking police officers might put country at risk, Elachi tells Kavuludi

Senate Majority Chief Whip Beatrice Elachi has urged National Police Service Commission to be careful with the manner in which they are handling police officers during the vetting process.

Speaking while addressing the Senate on Tuesday morning, the chief whip said the sacking of officers after they undergo vetting might throw the nation into a state of insecurity by abruptly rendering the cops jobless.

“Most officers are highly trained and experienced in security issues among them handling of firearms, and sudden termination of their employment can be dangerous,” said Elachi.

According to Elachi, such officers may become desperate after losing their jobs and offer their expertise to terror groups such as Al Shabaab, thus increasing the risk of terror attacks in the country.

The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) in March launched the vetting of 2,500 traffic police officers in three regions.

The exercise targets 598 officers in the rank of constable, corporal, sergeant and senior sergeant, inspector and chief inspector of police from Coast, Nyanza and Western.

NPSC Chairman Johnston Kavuludi said the exact date for vetting of officers in other regions would be announced once his team is done with the first phase.