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{
    "id": 1522431,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1522431/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 207,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Eldas, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Adan Keynan",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 41,
        "legal_name": "Adan Wehliye Keynan",
        "slug": "adan-keynan"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. A police officer is a law enforcement officer. Pursuant to Article 243 of the Constitution, the functions of the National Police Service include: 1. Provision of assistance to the public when in need. 2. Maintenance of law and order. 3. Preservation of peace. 4. Protection of life and property. 5. Investigation of crimes. 6. Collection of criminal intelligence. 7. Prevention and detection of crime. 8. Apprehension of offenders. 9. Enforcement of law and order. 10. Any other duty that may be prescribed by the Inspector-General of Police. This Bill is timely. I thank Hon. Masara for thinking out of the box and coming up with this pivotal legislative proposal aimed at introducing far-reaching reforms to the National Police Service in Kenya. The Bill seeks to enhance the welfare, professionalism and accountability of the Police Service, while fostering community relations. One of the key provisions in the Bill is on the issue of mental health and the wellbeing of police officers. Recognising the psychological toll of the work of a police officer, the Bill mandates NPS to prioritise mental health and wellbeing of police officers by implementing structured counselling, psychological support and wellness programmes. It is true that our police officers have been neglected over the years yet they provide a pivotal service to the public. It is said that a country without a professionally trained and adequately funded police is a country that does not have peace and tranquillity. There are countries that have survived without a military force, but no country has survived without a police force. The work of police officers is very difficult. They deal with the public and criminal elements. Part of their job is to prevent criminal activity, collect and synthesise criminal intelligence and protect the public. This requires a lot of psychological support and wellness programmes to reduce stress-related incidents and enhance officers’ morale and performance. Without morale, it is difficult for the officers to execute their day-to-day jobs. Another aspect of this Bill is to enhance oversight and accountability. One of the things that we have struggled to have over the years is an accountable, professionally trained and well remunerated police officers that meet the test of time. Kenya is a premier republic that prides itself in enforcement of the law and order within the confines of the Constitution. Unless you are adequately trained, you will not have proper understanding of the Constitution. The Bill seeks to fortify oversight and accountability mechanisms within the NPS by ensuring fair, impartial and transparent handling of complaints. It is two-way. They protect the public. There are complaints against the public, and at times, there are complaints against police officers. Accountability must be put on a scale that is fair to police officers and to the public. When I see individuals outrightly condemning the police, I empathise and sympathise with the police because their work is difficult. As legislators, we must come out and support good police officers. Not all police officers are bad. We have some of the best brains in their midst. Therefore, I urge the Kenyan public to desist from collectively condemning the police. They are human beings and are there for us. They do their work by protecting and supporting us under very difficult circumstances. It is high time Parliament, pursuant to Article 243 of the Constitution, went out of its way to adequately fund police officers. That is the only way we The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}