The National Assembly’s Committee on Implementation of the Constitution has summoned Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to appear before it on September 16 to explain the protracted feud between the National Police Service (NPS) and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).
The summons follow Kanja’s last-minute request to postpone a scheduled session by 21 days, a move lawmakers interpreted as a deliberate snub. MPs accused the police command of undermining the commission’s constitutional mandate and stalling reforms vital to the service’s efficiency.
Led by Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, committee members voiced frustration that the conflict, dating back nearly 15 years since the 2010 Constitution established the NPSC, remains unresolved. The constitution split powers between the IG, who oversees operations, and the NPSC, which manages human resources including recruitment, promotions, and discipline.
“This conflict is what we intend to address,” said Nambale MP Geoffrey Mulanya. “There is a deliberate effort for uniformed officers to frustrate the NPSC. We cannot allow reforms to drag indefinitely.”
The lawmakers noted that repeated failures by the IG and his deputies to attend NPSC meetings had denied the commission quorum, crippling its ability to conduct business. The standoff has left payroll management, promotions, and administrative efficiency in disarray—issues recently flagged by the Auditor General.
Igembe Central MP Daniel Kariithi questioned why tensions persist despite a new IG and newly appointed NPSC chairperson, Amani Yuda Komora. “The former IG and commission had differences which we believed wouldn’t play out now,” he said.
Other MPs, including Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur, warned that Parliament will not tolerate further obstruction. “We must resolve this conflict once and for all,” he said.
While some members, such as Kajiado West MP George Sunkuiya, urged patience until Kanja appears, others insisted that the public deserves accountability. Nominated MP Umi Harun stressed: “The committee doesn’t bite—we just want answers for the people we represent.”
Beyond the police feud, the committee also plans to engage the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on preparations for the 2027 general elections.
