LSK demands an apology from IG Kanja, accuses him of politicking
Odhiambo called on Kanja to reevaluate his tasks and do what is required of him by the law and Kenyans. The counsels further added that if the IG is not willing to stop the political biasness, he should resign from the post
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has demanded an apology from the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja over his engagement in a political rally yesterday in Kieni, Nyeri County.
According to LSK President Faith Odhiambo, it is wrong for the IG to engage in political rallies, as they added that it will lead to a lapse in judgment.
She accused the IG of having misplaced priorities.
“The Law Society of Kenya demands an immediate public apology by the Inspector-General for his conduct yesterday, which is unbecoming of the position he holds. We equally demand that Kanja forthwith withdraw and restrain from engaging in any political mobilisation, rallies, and/or discourse, especially in his official capacity as the Inspector-General of Police,” Odhiambo demanded in a statement.
She called on Kanja to re-evaluate his tasks and do what is required of him by the law and Kenyans.
The LSK President added that if the IG is not willing to stop the political biasness, he should resign from the post.
“In the alternative, we invite Kanja to step aside from the position of Inspector-General and allow the role to be occupied by an individual willing to serve all Kenyans without imposing their political biases on the people of Kenya,” she affirmed.
Odhiambo quoted Clause 94 of Chapter 24 of the National Police Service Standing Orders, which prohibits members of the service from making statements that compromise their ability to serve the government of the day in a politically neutral manner.
“Kanja is a member of NPS, and he is therefore not exempt from this solemn duty to maintain, uphold, and reflect political neutrality in his conduct. His actions at yesterday’s rally were a regrettable deviation from this duty,” she stated.
The statement by the LSK President comes after the IG was yesterday seen in a rally with the Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Kieni, Nyeri County.
Kindiki invited Kanja to speak with the crowd, which he did.
In his remarks, Kanja asked the residents of Kieni if they were happy to see the president and whether they were grateful.
“Are you happy to see our president here? Are you grateful? Would you like him to come back here? On our part, we have done our job,” he stated.
The office of the Inspector-General is established under Article 245(1) of the Constitution to exercise independent command over the National Police Service.
Under Section 10(4) of the NPS Act, the IG has a mandatory responsibility to uphold the national values, principles, and objects set out in Articles 10, 232, and 244 of the Constitution.
Notably, Article 232(1) (c) underscores key values of public service, requiring the Inspector-General, like all state officers, to be responsive, prompt, effective, impartial, and equitable even as Section 23(2) of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012, prohibits state officers from engaging in political activities that may compromise or be seen to compromise the political neutrality of the offices they hold.
