By The Weekly Vision
Following the appointment of the National Steering Committee to oversee reforms in the National Police Service (NPSC), Kenya Prisons Service, and the National Youth Service (NYS)—as recommended by the task force led by former Chief Justice David Maraga, there is now a renewed push by powerful individuals within the service to take up new positions within the restructured NPSC.
The process to fill these roles has begun with considerable momentum, indicating that the current NPSC commissioners are expected to step down in a mutually agreed manner to pave the way for a new team. The Maraga report specifically advises that the government should facilitate a negotiated exit or other legally recognized process for the existing commissioners.
Appointed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, the team responsible for overseeing these reforms will be led by Dr Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration. This team has already begun laying the groundwork for advocacy and lobbying activities. According to sources, the committee, under Omollo’s leadership, is tasked with implementing the report’s recommendations in full.
The planned dissolution of the current commission will see the departure of commissioners including Chairman Eliud Kinuthia, Vice Chairperson Dr. Alice Otwala, and members Eusebius K. Laibuta, Dr. Lilian Kiamba, John Ole Moyaki, and Edwin Cheluget. The commission’s CEO, Peter Leley, will also vacate his position, making way for the formation of a new team.
The Maraga report has identified issues with ineffective management and encroachment by the National Police Service (NPS) on the NPSC’s responsibilities, worsening the very problems the NPSC was created to address. It also criticizes the NPSC for failing to develop policies and implement measures necessary to fulfil its constitutional and statutory duties.
The implementation committee is expected to advise the president on assembling a team to negotiate an exit package for the outgoing commissioners. Once an agreement is reached, the committee, along with the Interior Cabinet Secretary, will declare all positions vacant. The president will then form a selection panel to interview candidates and appoint the new chairperson and commissioners.
Sources say, that the recent political agreements between ODM leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto may influence the new NPSC’s composition. It is anticipated that positions may be divided between allies of Odinga and Ruto, with Ruto’s ally likely to take the chairmanship and an ally of Odinga serving as deputy.
Additionally, it is reported that the Ruto-led team has internally decided on the next chair of the NPSC. The new chairman is expected to be from the Kalenjin community, maintaining the regional balance observed in previous appointments. Consequently, to accommodate this balance, the current CEO, Peter Leley, may be replaced by someone from a different ethnic group.
