Top Cops Put To Task Over Their Performance

The officers included Director of Inspection, Stephen Chelimo, GSU Deputy Commandant, Boniface Maingi and Fred Mwei Mbithi in Charge of Reforms Planning and Training.

Others are Deputy Commandant of Police Training School-Kiganjo , Joseph Ashimala and Rift Valley Regional Co-ordinator, Joel Mboya Kitili.

The Director of Inspection Stephen Chelimo was the first to be interviewed and was challenged on the poor state of police stations across the country.

Chelimo defended himself saying hurdles in implementing the rapid response initiative in the police service are due to poor funding and equipping of police stations resulting in underperformance.

The Director of Inspection intimated that his work involves inspection of the stations and making recommendations to the Inspector General for implementation.

The Johnstone Kavuludi led commission however charged that he was lax in following up on recommendations which has impacted negatively on crime prevention efforts.

Second on line was Deputy Commandant at Kenya Police College- Kiganjo Joseph Ashimala who was pushed to a corner over how he dealt with cattle rustling menace while he was the Rift Valley Provincial police boss at one time.

Ashimala found himself on the spot over questionable purchase of 5 acres of land that he owns but defended himself saying there was no graft involved.

Rift Valley Regional police Co-ordinator Joel Mboya Kitili came in third and revealed that guns in the hands of police are being marked in a bid to curb their use to commit crime.

He further indicated that the marking of firearms in civilian hands will soon follow.

GSU Deputy Commandant Boniface Maingi sought to correct the impression created about the dreaded unit.

Fred Mwei Mbithi, who heads the Planning,Reforms and Research was the last to be interviewed and shed light on the welfare of the police force

Mbithi added that they should not be discouraged because they have started out progressively starting off with medical cover.

He said this will soon be followed by payment of hardship allowance

The vetting process will continue tomorrow, Wednesday.

By Wangui Ngechu