Vetting targets corrupt police

A traffic police officer runs after a lorry after its

driver failed to stop at a roadblock at Marua-

Nanyuki junction on Monday. Up to 80,000 police

officers will be interviewed afresh by next year.

Thursday, November 28, 2013, In Summary

• The vetting document, most of which will be filled by the officers, seeks to establish if they had been involved in gross human rights violations, including indiscriminate or extrajudicial executions, torture, illegal or arbitrary arrest and detention. The tool asks them if they have ever been involved in negligence of duty.

By SAMUEL SIRINGI
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Claims of corruption and violation of human rights against senior police officers could make or break their careers during vetting next month.

According to a tool to be used in vetting up to 80,000 police officers by next year, the National Police Service Commission seeks to establish if the officials have engaged in bribe-taking or any other economic crimes during their career.

A total of 32 senior officers will be vetted in the first phase next month.

The vetting document, most of which will be filled by the officers, seeks to establish if they had been involved in gross human rights violations, including indiscriminate or extrajudicial executions, torture, illegal or arbitrary arrest and detention. The tool asks them if they have ever been involved in negligence of duty.

The document states that those to be vetted should explain if they have ever been named in any State report. They will also explain circumstances when they ever disobeyed an official order from a superior officer, and justify why it had to happen.

Instances in which an officer was disciplined or received a warning letter will also need to be explained.

Those with cases against them in courts of law or tribunals will also be required to provide the information in the process that started this week.

ILLEGAL GROUPINGS

The document also seeks to establish if the police officers have ever been involved in activities of illegal groupings, cartels, banned societies and political parties.

It asks the officers to declare if they have ever accepted gifts or any other donation in their work.

Those who may have stashed their money in foreign accounts will also be required to offer the details in the vetting tool.

The officers are also supposed to provide details of land, buildings, vehicles and investments they own.

The document warns the officers: “Where an officer wilfully refuses to submit to the vetting process by failing to appear before the commission, the commission shall treat such officer as having failed the vetting process and shall remove the officer from the service.”

Among the documents the police are expected to provide are academic certificates, a duly completed declaration of income, assets and liabilities and bank statements for the last two years.

The bank accounts should include those of their spouses and dependants under 18.