A senior police officer in Narok has spoken out against what she termed as rampant political interference and disruptive irregular transfers in the National Police Service. Chief Inspector Mary Umazi, the Officer Commanding Kerinkani Police Post, voiced her concerns during the Narok edition of the Jukwaa La Usalama forum, attended by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Umazi lamented that politicians and other influential individuals often meddle in police operations, sometimes pressuring officers to drop investigations into sensitive cases. She further highlighted the toll of sudden and irregular transfers, which uproot officers from their stations without adequate consideration for their personal lives.
Umazi told the forum that officers are often left to bear the consequences when investigations are halted due to political pressure, and she urged the Interior CS to protect law enforcement from undue influence. Her remarks came in the wake of another controversial statement made at a similar forum in Laikipia.
Nyahururu Police Station OCS Isaac Kimutus suggested reducing the percentage of female recruits, arguing that operational challenges such as managing protests were better handled by men. He proposed that female candidates be limited to 20 percent of recruitment slots, citing instances where he deployed only male officers to confront demonstrators.
The comments sparked sharp rebuttals from Interior CS Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, and NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga. They reaffirmed that the service is an equal opportunity employer and defended the contributions of female officers, many of whom, they said, have excelled beyond expectations both locally and internationally.
Nyaga reiterated that the one-third gender rule remains in force and that isolated operational challenges do not justify altering recruitment policies.
The Narok forum underscored growing concerns among police officers over political interference, gender bias debates, and the need for structural reforms within the force. For Umazi, the plea to Murkomen was clear, calling for officers to be shielded from external influence so they can uphold the law impartially and without fear of retaliation.
By tuko