OWN CORRESPONDENT, Nairobi | Tuesday 3.00pm.
ON the same day as human rights watchdog Amnesty International condemned Kenyan police brutality in its 1998 annual report, Kenya’s civil service chief Fares Kuindwa has criticised the same police for brutality and corruption, newspapers reported on Tuesday.
Kuindwa told officers attending a police seminar they should tackle police corruption, indiscipline and the use of excessive force.
“Taking of bribes from overloaded vehicles or the issuance of driving licences to unqualified drivers has without doubt contributed to the heavy loss of lives on our roads,” Kuindwa told the seminar.
He pointed out that police are not masters but servants: “Police must realise that the public is their employer and ensure that the service is geared towards harmonising relations between the two.”
Kuindwa said now that Kenyan awareness of individual rights has increased, the police force must avoid embarassing itself and the government
“There is, therefore, a need to search your consciences and hearts to see whether your conduct is in harmony with the oath you took as a police officer.”