Why graduate police constables want IG Mutyambai jailed

Graduate police constables now want the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) chairperson, Eliud Kinuthia and Inspector General of Police, Hilary Mutyambai jailed for contempt of court.

In their petition, the officers accuse the two of refusing to comply with a court order awarding 1000 graduate police constables salaries equivalent to the pay of an inspector of police.

The pay hike was to have been effected in August this year.

However, according IG Mutyambai, effecting the pay hike was not tenable, as this would have serious financial implications on the budget since the government will require Ksh.928 million annually to implement the new salary increment.

The career progression guidelines for the National Police Service Uniformed Personnel, 2016 does not provide a rank of a graduate constable in the service, thus the reason for the delay in implementing the order, with the commission arguing that it will create disparity within the force.

An ordinary police constable serves under job group F and earns a basic salary of Ksh.19,290 while a graduate police constable serves under job group J earning a basic salary of Ksh. 42,600.

With more than 1000 police officers yet to have their salaries increased, the IG and chairman of the national police service commission remain on the spot.