Economy

Parliament plans to set up its own police unit

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A section of Parliament building Nairobi on January 06, 2017.PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO

Members of Parliament are on course to changing the law to create a special police unit that exclusively serves them, adding to a list of privileges that includes hefty salaries and perks.

If passed, the proposed law will create a special force, the Parliamentary Police Unit, to guard MPs, Speaker, staff, visitors and property within the precincts of the National Assembly.

Unlike the regular police, who are currently hired by the National Police Service Commission to render such services as directed by the Inspector-General, the special unit, to some degree, will be under the control of Parliament.

“There is established a Parliamentary Police Unit, which shall be a specialised police service under the supervision of the National Police Service and the command of the Inspector-General of the National Police,” says the Bill sponsored by Majority Leader Aden Duale.

“The standard operating procedures and staffing requirements of the Parliamentary Police Unit shall take into account the views of Parliamentary Service Commission, which may also request the transfer or redeployment of the officers of the Unit.”

This provision is, however, in direct contravention of the Constitution which asserts the independence of police service – especially in matters of hiring, deployment of officers and in operational matters.

If passed, the Inspector-General will have to gazette the appointment of an officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of the Police to be in charge of the Parliamentary Police Unit.

The move comes amid criticism that the police have used excessive force during explosive parliamentary debates that have often culminated in physical showdowns.

Last year, police were deployed to clear the way for government-leaning legislators and the Speaker as well block opposition MPs protesting the change of electoral laws less than a month after it was passed.

Opposition MPs have also frequently criticised the police for using excessive force whenever some of them have attempted to interrupt the presidential speech.

Critics will, however, see the proposed law as part of the self-preservation wars that have seen MPs overlook the mandate of every other agency as they make laws or set their salaries, allowances and benefits.

“The officer in charge of the Parliamentary Police Reports Unit shall make such periodic reports as may be specified in the standard operating procedures to the [Parliamentary Service] Commission,” says the Duale Bill.

The changes also seek to “professionalise” the Parliamentary Service Commission by staffing it with non-partisan people “of exemplary administrative and technical competence.”