By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The National Police Service (NPS) has refuted claims that it retracted the security detail assigned to High Court Justice Lawrence Mugambi after he issued a significant sentence of six years in prison to Acting Police IG Gilbert Masengeli for contempt of court.
In a press statement, the acting Inspector General of Police Mr. Gilbert Masengeli said that all Kenyans are entitled to protection of their lives and property by the Police regardless of their status in the society.
“In view of the foregoing, the NPS wishes to rebut the allegations raised by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) relating to the assignment of personal security to Judges and to assure the Country that the security of all Kenyans, Judges included, remains our utmost priority,” Masengeli said in a statement.
He additionally advocated for the independence and operational autonomy of the NPS, reiterating that the law enforcement agency functions with constitutional independence.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Constitution and other independent offices and arms of Government cite the Constitution to be the basis for their independence. This is the same source of authority for the operational autonomy and independence of the NPS,” Masengeli said.
“The NPS totally rejects attempts to intimidate, coerce or otherwise interfere with the operational and functional independence of the Police.”
Masengeli also stated that no external entity possesses the authority to oversee or intervene in the employment, assignment, promotion, suspension, or dismissal of police officers.
“Accordingly, Article 245(4)(c) of the Constitution provides for the independent command of the NPS vested in the Inspector General of Police (IG) and no person may direct the IG with respect to the employment, assignment, promotion, suspension or dismissal of any police officer,” he said.
The Ag. IG further said that all police officers across the country will continue discharging their role of protecting the people of Kenya from harm and crime without fear or favour, ill-will or affection.