President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday declared that police officers should not own Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).
Uhuru states his position on police who own matatus
President Uhuru Kenyatta during his historic visit to the DCI headquarters on January 25, 2019 (Twitter)
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In his speech at the Bomas of Kenya, President Kenyatta ordered Attorney General Kihara Kariuki to prepare a bill that will outlaw the incidence terming it as a conflict of interest.
"We, in the Executive, are deeply aware that we too have many rotten apples in our midst both at the national and county level and the root of this melee is what I call a Conflict of Interest.
"I believe going forward, parastatal chiefs should not be in a position to use their offices to advance their private businesses.
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Matatu crew flee from police in Nyankongo in the outskirts of Kisii town during 2018 matatu crackdown (Twitter)
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"Those in the arena of road traffic regulation should not be at the same time players in the industry they supervise," the president stated.
Leave the force if you must own a matatu
He went on to explain that police officers involved in the matatu industry would have to leave the force.
"You cannot police yourself. I think we need to be very clear on that.
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"In line with the proposals made by this forum, I am today directing the Attorney General to prepare a bill that will address this question conflict of interest and the unintended consequences that arose from the Ndegwa Commission Report of 1971 as well as prohibiting any action by any state or public officer that creates a conflict of interest, due loyalties or advantage over any persons who do not hold such offices," Kenyatta ordered.
Attorney General Paul Kihara durign a past event (Twitter)
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Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators will also be barred from using committee hearings to obtain sensitive information that can be used for personal gain.
The president was speaking at the Multisectoral Initiative Against Corruption that was held at the Bomas of Kenya.
Deputy President William Ruto, Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Chief Justice David Maraga, DCI boss George Kinoti and DPP Noordin Haji were also in attendance.
