Roots party of Kenya is proposing changes in the National Police Service Act.
Party leader George Wajackoyah says if he is elected president in 2027, Sub County Police Commanders (SCPC) will be elected by wananchi into the positions.
According to Wajackoyah, the proposal will enhance transparency and accountability. Vetting for the ideal candidates, he said, will be conducted by the National Police Service Commission, the employer of officers.
Wajackoyah argued that his proposal is not unique, saying it is the practice in the United States where county police bosses, commonly known as Sherrifs, are elected by citizens.
He argued that subjecting officers to vetting and an election will enhance their efficiency.
According to Wajackoyah, the proposed individuals must be people of good integrity in the society and not corrupt.
He added that the officers must be proposed by their employer, the national police service (NPS) and their names forwarded to the county police recruitment board or commission for vetting.
From the commission or board, according to Wajackoyah, their names will be taken to wananchi for voting.
Wajackoyah said that the practise is not the first one in Kenya or Africa stating that its a norm in the US where county police bosses (Sherrif)and county Attorneys are elected by citizens.
"There names should be presented to the public within 14 days to enable people to discuss on their suitability," he said.
After the period of discussion (public participation) according to Wajackoyah,the names of those selected will face off in an election that should be free and fair.
Prof Wajackoyah, who is one of the highly educated leaders and politicians around the world, disclosed that through this process, senior police officers from the county level to the top will be fully accountable to wananchi and serve the country better.
"Community policing is increasingly introducing or encouraging administrative participants being elected. County police bosses and judges should be elected. In the US county police bosses are known as Sheriffs," he asserted.
He said that in the US, the county police bosses are elected every three years to serve as sheriffs.
"City judges are also appointed just like what happened in Wisconsin recently when the democrats defeated the republican candidate for the justice office seat," Wajackoyah mentioned.
He said that if the practice can be replicated here at home, things can be good in this country.
Wajackoyah's remarks and proposals comes in the wake of a debate in the country after Inspector general of police Douglas Kanja was accused of attending a Presidential tour event and addressed it.
He was captured in the media addressing a crowd in Nyeri County, where President William Ruto was touring.
