Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino has called for urgent reforms to restore professionalism, discipline, and public trust in Kenya’s police service.
While backing the nomination of new commissioners to the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), Owino said as they assume office they must courageously face the challenges facing country’s security sector.
“Madam Speaker, this is one area where we spend approximately $1.3 billion every year,” Owino told the House. “These individuals being vetted today have their work clearly cut out — to transform the police service into an accountable, transparent, professional, and disciplined institution.”
His remarks came against a backdrop of growing concern over the state of policing in the country, particularly amid recent reports of excessive force and growing discontent within the service.
Owino condemned recent scenes in Nairobi where groups of young people were spotted roaming the streets armed with clubs. “Kenya is a respected nation, and such displays are not welcome,” he said, warning that a breakdown in law and order threatens national stability and the country’s global reputation.
He urged the incoming commission to urgently fix the police recruitment process, which he described as consistently problematic. “As the mandate of the commission relates to recruitment, a process that has consistently been problematic. I hope the new team will strengthen and reform it,” Owino said.
He further decried stagnation in police career progression, saying it undermines morale. “Some police officers serve for many years without any upward mobility. That must be addressed squarely to boost morale and fairness within the service.”
The Ndhiwa legislator emphasized the need for structured discipline, fair transfers, and robust capacity building across the ranks of the service. He called on the commission to anchor all police conduct in the rule of law.
“Every police officer must be trained to understand that the only document guiding their conduct is the rule of law not powers from above, not instructions from political offices,” he stated.
He urged Parliament to empower the incoming commissioners with the authority and resources needed to implement meaningful reforms, cautioning that without structural change, the service risks further erosion of public confidence.
“These are the kinds of capacities we must invest in,” Owino said, “to ensure our police officers serve with integrity and within the legal framework.”
