Narok Policewoman Complains to Murkomen about Irregular Transfers, Politicians Interfering with Work
- Chief Inspector Mary Umazi has decried the meddling of policing by politicians and other powerful individuals who interfere with the operations and workings of the law enforcers
- Speaking in front of Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, the policewoman said officers are also grappling with irregular transfers that disrupt their lives
- She further decried officers being left to bear the brunt after pressure from above to drop investigations into certain cases linked to politicians
A police officer has poured out her frustration while in the line of duty, seeking the intervention of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Source: Twitter
Chief Inspector Mary Umazi seized the Narok edition of the Jukwaa La Usalama forums to enumerate the challenges police officers encounter in their lines of duty.
What bold Narok OCS told CS Murkomen
Speaking in front of Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, the policewoman opened up on officers grappling with irregular transfers that disrupt their lives.
She further decried officers being left to bear the brunt after pressure from politicians to drop investigations into certain criminal cases.
Umazi, the commander of Kerinkani Police Post, lamented that whenever politicians meddle in their workings, they are left with no choice but to comply, with the public disapproving of them for partisanship.
She added that for those who hold onto their grounds, the said politicians initiate their untimely transfers.
"Sometimes you find political leaders, and I'm sorry to say some, not all of them, something has happened, and before it's even investigated, we just hear transfer all of these people," she said.
What Mary Umazi wanted from CS Murkomen
The OCS called on Murkomen to intervene and sanction strong policing mechanisms that can withstand political interference, which has instead taken away the autonomy of the police service.
According to her, partisanship due to political interference has eroded the public's confidence in the police.
"Out working sometimes becomes so, so hard, because you can arrest somebody, and then you get a call from above and you are told you are not supposed to take that person to court. Tomorrow, the same mistake will happen again, and we are not doing what we are supposed to do. So, sir (Murkomen), kindly, I would wish that is taken care of," she said.
She also pointed out the inconvenience that police officers are subjected to due to irregular transfers.
Umazi said their children are having difficulty concentrating on their education due to the constant relocations that disrupt their schoolwork.
"We are also human beings. You are ambushed and told to move with immediate effect. I have a family where I live. You have taken your children to school, and now you have to move. Our children also need to settle. They need to catch up with the others. They are not children of lesser parents," Umazi continued.
In other news, the National Police Service (NPS) recently turned down a proposal from a senior officer suggesting a reduction in the number of female recruits.
Why Nyahururu OCS wanted number of female recruits to be reduced
During the Laikipia edition of the Ministry of Interior’s Jukwaa La Usalama forum, Nyahururu Police Station’s Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Isaac Kimutus, expressed concerns that female officers were becoming a burden to male colleagues during field operations.
Kimutus questioned the effectiveness of female personnel in high-pressure situations, citing recent protests as an example.
Source: Twitter
Based on his experience, he claimed that male officers were solely responsible for managing intense operational duties, while female officers struggled with the physical demands.
He recommended that recruitment should favour men, proposing that only 20% of new slots be reserved for women.
He recounted that during recent demonstrations, he assigned male officers to frontline duties and kept female officers at the station, arguing that many were unable to cope with the challenges on the ground.
Kimutus voiced concern that male officers were being overburdened due to what he perceived as the limitations of their female counterparts.
How government reacted to OCS Kimutu's proposal
However, his remarks were swiftly refuted by Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who reiterated the NPS’s commitment to equal opportunity.
NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga also dismissed Kimutus’s claims, stating they were based on personal bias and did not reflect the institution’s stance.
Nyaga emphasised the valuable role female officers play in national security, highlighting those who have surpassed expectations and earned international recognition for their dedication and excellence.
He reaffirmed that the NPS adheres to the one-third gender rule in its operations and that isolated operational challenges would not justify altering this policy.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
