Retiring police officers to be deployed to counties of their choice - Murkomen

Retiring police officers will soon have the option to be posted to the counties of their choice, allowing them to reconnect with their communities before retirement, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said.

Murkomen explained that the move aims to improve officers’ welfare and help them transition smoothly into retirement by familiarising them with their local communities.

“After serving for decades, we will post police officers to counties they wish to retire in so they can begin familiarising themselves with the villagers or communities before they retire,” Murkomen said.

Using a hypothetical example, he said, “If a police officer from Turkana is first deployed to Taita Taveta, where he marries, and is later transferred to Kisumu as he nears retirement, he will either return to his home county or choose to retire in Taita Taveta. If he chooses Taita Taveta, we will allow it so he can familiarise himself with the community in advance.”

He emphasised that the Kenya Kwanza administration is prioritising police officers’ welfare, adding that no officer will remain at one duty station for more than three years.

“I have been touring the Coast region and noticed that some police officers have been stationed in particular areas for years. But we have agreed that no police officer will stay in one station for more than three years,” he said.

The CS said the rotation policy will prevent officers from forming close ties with suspected criminals while giving them broader experience across the country.

He further stated that those serving in hardship areas will be transferred elsewhere after their tenure, ending the practice of using such postings as disciplinary measures.

“Let the officer face disciplinary action and be posted anywhere. All police officers are equal—you will serve in an area for three years before being transferred,” he said.

Murkomen also said government plans are in place to build more police stations and provide decent housing to ensure officers live and work in dignified conditions.

At the same time, he criticised a recent High Court ruling that declared the formation of a 23-member presidential task force on police welfare unconstitutional. Despite the ruling, he vowed to implement the task force’s recommendations, led by former Chief Justice David Maraga.

“We have challenges, but we will continue to implement the task force’s recommendations. I hear a judge ruled that the task force was not legally constituted. Some decisions are absurd. Are they happy to see the welfare of even those guarding them remain unchanged?” he said.

“The welfare issues facing our officers are well-known. Whether we had formed the task force or not, for someone to declare it illegal, we will still help these officers, even if it means being in contempt of court.”

Murkomen also promised fairness and equity in police promotions. “This will ensure fairness. We do not want a situation where some are promoted after five years while others wait 30.”

GBV cases

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Murkomen expressed concern over the high number of gender-based violence (GBV) cases in Taita Taveta County, particularly sexual offences. He instructed chiefs and their assistants to take responsibility and ensure perpetrators are prosecuted.

“Where are the chiefs and assistant chiefs? We must eradicate these crimes. We will take action against those not doing their jobs. There will be a major campaign to stop these offences. Sexual predators must be removed from society,” he said.

He urged communities to stop protecting perpetrators, especially in incest cases, which he noted are sometimes shielded by family members.

“As a community, do not protect these offenders. The community must be willing to expose them, as this appears to be a cultural issue. The femicide technical working group will visit to assess how this can be tackled,” Murkomen said.

Taveta MP John Bwire proposed amending laws to allow the government to purchase vehicles for National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) and police officers, particularly in stations lacking transport.

“We could even buy them second-hand vehicles, as they are struggling. The cost could be shared between the government and NG-CDF,” the MP said.

To improve mobility, Murkomen announced plans to lease 5,000 vehicles for distribution among departments, including the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and local administrators.

“Within three months, we will distribute the vehicles fairly, prioritising marginalised areas,” he said.