The IPOA Board hosts IG Boinnet in discussions to foster collaboration
Independent Policing Oversight Authority Chairperson, Anne Makori and Inspector General of the National Police Service Joseph Boinnet have today pledged to enhance collaboration in driving police reforms in Kenya.
The meeting reviewed areas of common interest in discharging the institutions’ different mandates and identified challenges that if tackled jointly, will ensure the country will achieve the aim of having a professional police service.
Mrs. Makori and Mr. Boinnet spoke when the IG led a delegation of senior officers for a courtesy call to the IPOA Board, at the Authorities headquarters in Nairobi.
She noted that the visit is a good gesture and commitment that the National Police Service and the Authority have a mutual understanding towards professional policing.
“I’m glad to host the IG and his team. This morning we held discussions on various areas of operation bearing in mind our mandates. We agreed on various ways of cooperation so as to achieve more on discharging the mandates of each institution,” Mr Makori said.
She added: “We shall continue strengthening our working relationship moving forward so that we are able to deliver to Kenyans. Our mandate is derived from the citizenry in accordance with the Constitution that establishes both institutions.”
During the meeting, the IG also noted IPOA’s impact in professionalizing the National Police Service and making it accountable to the people.
“We reiterate on commitment to work with IPOA in enabling their role of providing oversight on behalf of the Kenyan people. Whereas we worked well in the past, we acknowledge we had some difficulties. Henceforth, we have agreed to find ways of ironing out issues whenever they occur.” Mr. Boinnet said.
The IG further lauded IPOA efforts in addressing policing problems.
“IPOA did a very extensive survey on how to house our officers and gave us very good recommendations, allowing officers of all ranks to reside out of police stations. Those thoughts came from IPOA and we incorporated them in the final report,” said Mr. Boinnet.
The IG referred to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive to implement the Policy framework and strategy on reorganisation of National Police Service, provision of decent and affordable housing and integration of police officers with communities and neighbourhoods report, after which police officers of all ranks will be given house allowances, unlike in the past, and be allowed to rent houses in estates of their choice.
Mrs. Makori further noted that the IG had established office premises for the Internal Affairs Unit outside the NPS headquarters in conformance to IPOA’s Strategic Plan outcome (iii) to ensure a functional IAU.
She also informed the meeting that IPOA has devolved into the regions “so as to take services closer to the people.”
Mrs. Makori cited a case of slain lawyer Willie Kimani and noted that the case was taken to court after police worked with IPOA to investigate officers accused of the murder.
“However, IPOA will continue working independently as dictated by the law but with consultation to achieve faster results,” she added.
So far, the Authority has received and processed 11,160 complaints since inception of which 793 have been referred to IAU, and 5,250 forwarded for investigations. 1,641 cases are currently under investigations.
The Authority has completed 882 investigations, conducted 1,158 inspections of police premises, and monitored 178 police operations. 115 cases have so far been forwarded to the ODPP, and 59 cases are currently before Courts of Law.
IPOA has given priority to key areas which the Authority hopes the two Institutions can pursue together. IPOA would further want to see Gender Desks and Child Protection Units in all police stations, enhancing the intake of the recommendations made by the Authority.
Mrs. Makori appreciated the National Police Service for its uptake of some of the recommendations IPOA has made in previous reports.
In line with the IPOA proposals, police housing reforms is on course, OCSs have been accorded Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE) as well as far reaching and ongoing police reforms articulated in the Framework that was launched by President Kenyatta on 13th September 2018.
The IG’s visit is timely since the IPOA Board assumed office in September, following the exit of the inaugural Board in May.
The Board’s Vice-Chairperson is Mr. Jonathan Ltipalei Lodompui. Other Board members are Ms. Doreen Nkatha Muthaura, Mrs. Fatuma Mohamud Mohamed, Dr. Walter Owen Owuor Ogony, Ms. Praxedes Chepkoech Tororey, Dr. Jimmy Mutuku Mwithi, and Hon. John Murithi Waiganjo.
As part of enhancing an operational relationship, IPOA and IAU have monthly engagements to drive public awareness and sensitization, including modalities for monitoring, reviewing and auditing the Unit for effective delivery of its functions.
In working together, IPOA hopes to realise a professional police service.