NAIROBI,Kenya, May, 9 – The National Police Service is yet again on the spot after a female officer in a viral video on social media expressed her frustrations over increased mistreatment and sexual abuse in the service.
The officer in a video targeting the Inspector General of police Hillary Mutyambai further expressed her dissatisfaction at the manner in which the welfare of officers,particularly police women are neglected and as a result nearly pushing her to the brink stating, “I pray I am given the opportunity to resign peacefully.”
“I have written several resignation letters but they do not reach the inspector general of police. We can not continue to suffer even as some officers result to committing suicide.” stated the officer.
According to the officer a good number of men and women in service continue to suffer in silence despite being abused and mistreated at the hands of superior officers.
Mechanisms availed to police to report such incidents such as the internal Affairs Unit (IAU) have allegedly failed officers with those tasked to resolve reported cases of abuse meted on officers turning a blind eye further failing to execute their mandate.
“Kazi ya polisi ni ya chama mbaya…haina usaidizi…na ile ofisi ya IAU a big office, inafanya kazi gani
” (Working for the police is just awful, there is no benefit at all. take a look at the IAU, a very big office but what kind of work to they do?) posed the officer.
Accusations of corruption have also been cited as one of the leading vices plaguing the unit.
“I would like the president to disband this office, it has no benefits whatsoever . Mr president we continue to suffer. These people are paid but can not sort any case affecting officers.”
Outrage on social media calling out the service forced the inspector general of police Hillary Mutyambai to address the matter and immediately address the welfare of officers.
“I have learnt of video trending on social media where a female police officer is captured lamenting against unfair treatment and sexual harassment. The officer is attached to the Traffic Department in Mombasa county. I have directed the Gender and Children Directorate to independently investigate the matter and give report within 7 days.” IG Police Mutyambai.
“Sir, inspector general nisaidie tu nitokee hii kazi ya police, kwasababu nimechokaa. na nikienda nje nitaperform vizuri nifanye kitu yangu…sitaki kazi ya polisi…(Inspector general sir,help me leave the police service, i am tired, wHen I leave I will perform out there and do my own thing. I don’t want to work for the police.)”
The officer also intimated that female officers are most affected with cases of sexual harassment in the service rife.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has advocated for the creation of a new office on Ethics and Gender relations under the office of the Inspector General of Police following complaints of sexual harassment.
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This comes amidst a raft of changes proposed by stakeholders and subject to be presented and subsequently approved by the National Security Council.
“we can not look away anymore and not address challenges we have had in the security sector where especially our female members in the service,some of them have complained of sexual harassment, we have investigated some of the cases but because we did not have a stringent eco-system some things have fallen through the cracks..it will not happen again in the future” stated a tough talking Matiang’i.
In a similar incident in 2019 a female administration police officer, Sgt. Jane Asimitsi in Kakamega accused her bosses of mental abuse and mistreatment saying she was ready to quit the service.
“When I went to the office of my bosses and attempted to highlight the issues that were affecting me, they treated me like I was not an officer. I have complained but nothing was ever done.”
A disciplinary committee was formed to probe the matter.
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