Curtains on Monday fell on the four-year long career of Joseph Kipchirchir Boinnet as Kenya’s second Inspector General of Police.
Boinnet was nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta on December 31, 2014 and officially took office in February 2015; replacing David Kimaiyo who is the current Chairman of the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) board.
The soon-to-be ex-police boss, in a statement released on his last day in office, reiterated the achievements in the policing sector during his reign such as service delivery and proper housing.
“Under the Police modernization programme, the National Police Service has invested heavily in providing the necessary tools and equipment to enable our police officers discharge their duties effectively and to the expectations of Kenyans,” read the statement.
According to Boinnet, the government motor vehicle leasing programme tackled the issue of police mobility while Group Life Insurance cover as well as Comprehensive Medical Scheme catered for the health of officers and their families.
He further stated that police officers are now liable for house allowance whereby those in General Duty will henceforth rent their own houses and live within the communities they serve as opposed to living in congested police lines.
“It is for this reason that the National Police Service has continued to open its doors for the public to interact with us and appreciate the role that all of us play in ensuring that our safety and security is guaranteed.”
Members of the public, wrote Boinnet, are now able to interact with police officers, offer suggestions and critique where necessary through events such as the recently launched National Police Colleges Open Days as well as the National Police Service Week.
“We equally celebrate and recognize the sacrifices made by our gallant Police Officers some of whom lost their lives in the line of duty as they protect the lives and properties of the people they serve,” he added.