IG DOUGLAS KANJA CALLED OUT AND FORCED TO HAND OVER POLICE PAYROLL

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has been directed by the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to surrender all human resource functions, including control of the police payroll, to the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) without delay.

The order followed concerns raised by the committee that the National Police Service (NPS) had denied both the Commission and the Office of the Auditor-General access to review its payroll for the 2022/2023 financial year. Lawmakers cited this as a transparency and accountability issue.

PAC chairperson and Butere MP Tindi Mwale instructed Kanja and NPS accounting officer Bernice Sialaal Lemedeket to hand over the functions immediately. Mwale also asked NPSC Chief Executive Officer Peter Kiptanui Leley to confirm in writing that the transfer had been completed.

Kanja is scheduled to appear before the committee again in two weeks to confirm full compliance with the directive.

The matter has reignited debate over the separation of roles between the NPS and the NPSC, particularly in areas such as recruitment, promotions and staff welfare. Mwale urged the two offices to maintain a cooperative relationship, warning that holding on to functions outside the IG’s mandate could lead to unnecessary disputes.

Committee members also expressed concern over reports that some commissioners had attempted to limit the NPSC CEO’s ability to provide information to the committee, stating that the CEO’s position was critical to ensuring proper oversight.

In response, Kanja stated that the NPS works closely with the Commission and promised to hand over the payroll as instructed. He noted that he is also a member of the Commission and does not intend to delay the process.

Aldai MP Maryanne Kitany reiterated that matters relating to police human resources, including welfare and recruitment, are the sole mandate of the Commission as provided for in law.

The committee’s decision is expected to reinforce the independence of the NPSC and strengthen oversight of the police service’s human resource management.