Inspector General of Police nominee Japhet Koome has today faced the Committee of the National Assembly on Administration and Internal Security and the Senate Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations for vetting.
Dressed for the occasion in his official regalia with Sh89million net worth, Koome outlined his strategies to deal with corruption in the Police Service if approved by Parliament to become the country’s IG.
“Things cannot continue as usual… we must take the bull by its horns… what is happening along our roads is ugly, not acceptable,” observed Koome.
During the vetting, the trained engineer revealed to have been in service for 31 years claiming a clean record of service and married to a detective wife whom together have born two mature adults with.
“I have been in service for 31years,” he said.
Koome has declared a stern warning on war against militia groups from the neighbouring Somalia and the local armed cattle rustlers and inter-clan clashes.
Dealing with bandits in the North Rift is among key assignments of the IG nominee’s to do list.
Koome proposed livestock rustling to be treated as a terrorist act so that livestock warlords can be jailed for life likening the youth raiders to small fish in what he calls a major criminal commercial enterprise.
On the social welfare of his men in uniform, Koome has promised to establish National Police Social welfare directory to serve the police officers welfare alluding that officers’ welfare has always been a priority citing examples of starting up the Utumishi Boys’ and Girls’ schools.
“We must obey the law and court orders and engage committee in internal welfare of police,” he said.
The IG nominee alluded that he will partner with stakeholders to serve Kenyans including IPOA, Haki Africa, Amnesty among other key interested parties.
Koome also said that he will engage special committees on the reimbursement of those officers who die while on duty.
On the suitability issue petition against his appointment as the IG, Koome has dispelled the petition as hot air with zero percent responsibility of going against the law while in office.
“As the police regional commander of Nairobi, I never gave orders to enter the university of Nairobi but some officers working not under my orders, were held culpable. During the electioneering period, the issue in Mathare, the matter was investigated and completed,” Koome claimed.
New changes announced today by acting IG Noor Gabow reveal that Resila Onyango has been named as the new police spokesperson replacing Bruno Shioso who has been promoted to the rank of National Police Service Training Campus commandant in Kiganjo.
Shioso has replaced Koome set for voyage for the IG of police to replace Hillary Mutyambai.
