A major setback has been dealt to Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja as the Labour Court in Nairobi has halted the controversial transfer of 194 police officers.
These officers, who were stationed in Narok East, will no longer be moved following the court’s ruling, which has put the transfers on hold indefinitely.
The decision came after activist Memba Ocharo filed a petition challenging the National Police Service (NPS) over the transfers, which he argued were carried out in violation of the Service Standing Orders.
The court agreed, describing the transfers as arbitrary and punitive, and stopped them from proceeding.
As reported by kenyans.co.ke, Ocharo’s lawyer, Danstan Omari, presented a strong case, arguing that the transfer of officers from Duka Moja and Ntulele police stations was improper and lacked proper justification.
Justice Nduma Nderi, who presided over the case, granted Ocharo permission to seek judicial review orders.
These orders include quashing the transfers and preventing any further arbitrary moves by the NPS.
Additionally, the court ruled that the affected officers must be paid their allowances before any further action is taken.
The ruling also highlighted the importance of following proper transfer protocols and providing psychological support to the officers affected by the transfers.
The transfers were initially ordered after protests broke out in Narok County on January 17.
During the unrest, residents blocked a major highway for over 24 hours, demanding accountability from the NPS.
The protests turned violent, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and leaving one police officer severely injured.
The NPS responded by relocating the officers, but this move has now been deemed unlawful by the court.
This ruling is a significant blow to IG Kanja and the NPS leadership, as it underscores the importance of adhering to legal processes when handling police transfers.
The court’s decision sends a clear message that arbitrary actions will not be tolerated, and that the rights and well-being of police officers must be respected.
Many will be watching closely to see how the NPS responds to the court’s instructions and whether it will take steps to address the issues raised.
The standoff between the NPS and the affected officers could escalate further, making this one of the most important cases in the ongoing discussions about police reform in Kenya.
The ruling has sparked conversation about the need for transparency and fairness in the transfer of police officers, as well as the importance of providing support to those affected by such decisions.
For now, the court’s decision stands as a reminder that no one is above the law, and that even powerful institutions like the NPS must operate within the bounds of justice and fairness.
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