Top officer to be vetted afresh after giving unsatisfactory answers

Kenya: A senior officer has been given a second chance for vetting by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) at a date to be communicated to him.

This was after commissioners said they were not satisfied with answers the former Eldoret West OCPD John Ndung’u wa Ikonya gave during the interview.

The commission will this week continue with the vetting of officers in the North Rift. The five-day exercise began on Saturday.

Some of the accusations raised against Mr Ikonya during a vetting session in Eldoret last week included alleged intimidation of junior officers, aiding and protecting criminals, illegal sale of arms and ammunition and some disciplinary issues when he was a police constable dating back to 1984.

“You will be recalled for further vetting. This will give you more chance to respond adequately to details that will be provided by the commission. Do your homework well as further vetting is arranged,” said NPSC Chairman Johnston Kavuludi.

The commission had demanded explanation from Ikonya over an action that is claimed he took against police constable Charles Omuse of Highway Patrol Unit in 2006 while he was the Bungoma OCPD in 2006.

Omuse was reportedly dismissed after he failed to escort Ugandan First Lady through Teso, Bungoma to Nakuru en-route to Nairobi.

But Ikonya, who is currently a Senior Superintendent of police at Kiganjo Police Training School, denied any knowledge of a First Lady and also stated he was not in a position to sack the officer, who he said was not under his division.

“I did not have capacity to sack a police constable. I don’t even remember that complaint,” Ikonya said.

NPSC also had to revert into camera after issues touching on alleged diversion of relief maize rations meant for IDPs emerged. He had also denied allegations of protecting dealers behind illegal fuel dumping while serving in Uasin Gishu as an OCPD.

NPSC chairman also said there were serious concerns raised by the public accusing the officer of aiding criminals and being involved in illegal sale of arms and ammunition.