The National Police Service (NPS) has come under sharp scrutiny after the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) ordered the immediate transfer of its payroll management to the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), citing a breach of constitutional provisions.
PAC chairperson Tindi Mwale issued the directive during a session convened to review the Auditor-General’s report on NPS accounts for the financial year ending 2023. The audit flagged concerns over the continued control of payroll functions by the NPS despite clear constitutional mandates.
Article 246 of the Constitution gives the NPSC sole authority over all human resource functions in the police service including recruitment, promotions, and payroll oversight. MPs on the committee accused the NPS of undermining this mandate by retaining control of the payroll.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who appeared before the committee, denied any rift between the NPS and the commission. “The National Police Service has always maintained a constructive, respectful, and professional working relationship with the National Police Service Commission,” he stated. Kanja added that the NPS had consistently provided the commission with access to conduct human resource audits.
However, PAC members rejected this defense, terming it insufficient. “Mere access is not the same as control,” one MP argued, noting that the commission must have full authority to fulfill its constitutional role effectively.
Mwale directed the NPSC to report back within seven days on compliance with the order, signaling growing parliamentary frustration with what is viewed as deliberate resistance.
Analysts believe the payroll dispute reflects deeper institutional tensions. While the NPSC is constitutionally mandated to manage HR functions, the NPS fears that losing control over payroll could erode its autonomy and slow down salary processing due to increased bureaucracy.
There are also concerns of overlapping roles and perceived interference, with each side guarding its turf.
The PAC’s stance underscores Parliament’s push for stricter adherence to constitutional frameworks and transparent management of public resources particularly within key security agencies like the NPS. Whether the commission assumes full control within the stipulated timeframe remains to be seen.
