Health CS Susan Nakhumicha Saturday ordered the transfer of Matisi OCS John Thuo over the rising cases of insecurity in the area.
The CS, despite the power to transfer security officials not being within her docket, said that the government has taken a ‘one government approach’ which ostensibly gave her the powers to make sweeping decisions and only report actions taken to the relevant Cabinet secretary.
Speaking in Matisi, Nakhumicha said, “We are using the one government approach.
That means that when I stand here, I’m representing President William Ruto’s government and I am ordering the transfer of Matisi OCS.
If the county commandant is here or wherever he is, let the message reach him that the CS has said that by tomorrow, the Matisi OCS should be out of here.
I will just go and report to my colleague (Interior CS Kithure) Kindiki the action I’ve taken.”
The CS spoke at the burial of Joseph Marango, who died during countrywide ‘Maandamano’ protests.
The law however does not give her or Kindiki such powers.
Article 245(4) says the Cabinet secretary responsible for police services may lawfully give a direction to the Inspector-General with respect to any matter of policy for the National Police Service, but no person may give a direction to the Inspector-General with respect to the investigation of any particular offense or offenses, the enforcement of the law against any particular person or persons or the employment, assignment, promotion, suspension or dismissal of any member of the National Police Service.
The law says any direction given to the Inspector-General by the Cabinet secretary responsible for police services under clause (4), or any direction given to the Inspector-General by the Director of Public Prosecutions under Article 157(4), shall be in writing.
