Murkomen Vows Crackdown on Corrupt Police Officers
Murkomen also addressed the increasing concern about purported abductions and missing persons. He said investigations were ongoing and would uncover the truth.
The warning comes after a report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) that ranked police the most corrupt institution in the country. Photo/ KBC Digital
By Juliet Jerotich
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a hard warning to corrupt police officers, vowing stern action against officers who are tarnishing the image of the National Police Service (NPS).
Speaking harshly to them, Murkomen singled out the officers in the traffic department and other units, stating that no one would be spared if caught being corrupt.
He swept aside excuses that corruption can be explained by adverse working conditions or low wages. To him, all the officers signed up for the service with full knowledge of what the job entails, the challenges, and also the possibility of being assigned to challenging areas.
“Those who joined this profession agreed to the terms. They cannot now use these challenges as an excuse to break the law,” Murkomen said.
The warning comes after a report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) that ranked police the most corrupt institution in the country. Murkomen said the findings will not be taken lightly. The officers involved will be prosecuted.
He underscored that low pay is never an excuse to solicit or accept bribes. Corruption, he said, is a matter of personal integrity, not wage levels. “It is the doing of individual officers. We will not allow a few individuals to taint the service’s image,” he stated.
Murkomen also addressed the increasing concern about purported abductions and missing persons. He said investigations were ongoing and would uncover the truth.
“In some cases, we still don’t know whether people were abducted or staged their own disappearance. For missing persons, files of inquiry are still open. We will follow up on every lead, establish facts, and act accordingly,” he explained.
The remarks of the CS point to a new drive to restore public trust in the police. He made it very explicit that discipline, openness, and professionalism must define the NPS. Corruption, he stated, has no room in the force.
His tough stance spells trouble for errant officers and a new determination by the government to eliminate corruption from the police service. By pursuing both corruption and cold criminal cases, Murkomen aims to promote accountability and recover the image of law enforcers in Kenya.
About Author
