This archive report was first published on 2 November 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's 2018 police reform package, which aimed to increase the independence of the National Police Service, is under threat as state officials seek to regain control over the force.
The draft Bill, titled Police Service Act (Amendment) Bill 2019, proposes the creation of a new position, the Office of the National Government Administrative Officer (NGAO), which would oversee the running of national government functions across the 47 counties.
NGAO officers would also chair security committee meetings, command police officers, and have the power to take disciplinary action against them. This move is seen as a compromise to the independence of the National Police Service.
According to the draft Bill, NGAO officers would have the power to oversee security operations in their areas of command, which could create a conflict with constitutional bodies such as the National Police Service Commission.
Amnesty International's Demus Kiprono and Independent Medico Legal Unit's Carol Tunnen have expressed concerns over the changes, stating that they would compromise the independence of the National Police Service.
The proposed changes are seen as a reversal of Uhuru's 2018 reforms, which aimed to increase the independence of the police by removing them from the control of national government officials.
Uhuru's reforms had redefined the roles of police units, including the Administration Police and Kenya Police, and had given them more autonomy in their operations.
However, the draft Bill proposes that NGAO officers would have oversight of all government projects in their areas of command, including chairing security meetings and commanding police officers.
The authors of the Bill hope that Parliament will amend sections of the Police Act to achieve their agenda, which includes giving NGAO officers powers to have a say on security management at different levels of government.
Published on November 2, 2019, at 1:00 PM.
