Women cry foul over Kaindi’s dismissal

Grace Kaindi

Women rights movement in Kenya has asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to reverse the removal of Deputy Inspector General Grace Kaindi, claiming a continuing conspiracy against women holding senior positions in public service.

“The women movement in Kenya is disturbed by the continued trend of the hounding out of women leaders from public office,” said Teresa Omondi, FIDA’s deputy executive director, in a statement yesterday in Nairobi.

The movement vowed to go to court should the President fail to rescind his decision, saying the move to retire Ms Kaindi lacks gender consideration. Other organisations that expressed outrage at Kaindi’s dismissal included Community Advocacy and Awareness Trust, Centre for Rights Education and Awareness, Coalition on Violence Against Women - Kenya, Cric Kenya and Bulamwa Society.

The movement also took issue with Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery over his remarks that there are no women competent enough to replace the outgoing DIG.

“We find his statement an affront to the women of Kenya. Nkaissery and other like-minded individuals should come to the realisation that gone are the days when qualified women were deemed to be nonexistent,” said Community Advocacy and Awareness Trust Executive Director Daisy Amdany.

The women federations said it was disheartening to continuously watch competent women leaders being hounded out of office, victimised, intimidated or frustrated.

They called for the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) to seriously and rightfully advise the President. “The removal of Kaindi is not only a demotion but also a setback to gains made by women in Kenya in leadership and decision making,” added Ms Omondi.

In other changes to the police service made by Inspector General Joseph Boinnet on Friday, more than 40 senior police officers were moved.

The new deputy director of CID is Joseph Ashmala who has been Kaindi’s deputy. The new deputy to the DIG is director of reforms King’ori Mwangi.

The new traffic commandant will be Jecinta Kinyua who was the director of personnel at CID headquarters. Former GSU commandant William Saiya is the new commandant Kiganjo police college, while Nairobi police boss Benson Kibui is the new director of operations at Vigilance House.

Kiganjo Deputy Commandant Gabow Noor was named head of transport at police headquarters. Most of those replaced like Deputy Director of CID Gideon Kimilu were moved to the Ministry of Interior for redeployment.