Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and his team are persons of interest in the Senate following the directive to disarm more than 9,000 National Police Reservists (NPRs) in volatile regions.
Senators from pastoralist regions, in a heated debate yesterday, also reprimanded the CS, his PS Karanja Kibicho and Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai over the withdrawal of the officers, which they termed a knee-jerk reaction in dealing with insecurity.
The senate has now summoned the three to appear before all senators next Thursday, in a session to be chaired by the Security Committee.
They are expected to explain what informed the abrupt policy change barely over a year after recommending recruitment of 1,700 to supplement the more than 7,000 police officers in 2017.
A statement by Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo/Marakwet) faulting the purported withdrawal of the officers from counties in Kerio Valley ignited a heated discussion.
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Mr Murkomen even attributed the action by Dr Matiang'i to 2022 politics.
“One week ago, without any notice or consultation, the Government abruptly withdrew the guns allocated to the NPS. The Reservists have also been suspended from duty,” Murkomen said.
