How tender wars may have cost police boss her job
Ms Grace Kaindi was on Tuesday dropped as the second-highest ranking police officer in major changes announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The President appointed Mr Joel Mboya Kitili as the new Deputy Inspector General of the Police. He took over from Ms Kaindi who was appointed ambassador.
The changes come against the background of sharp differences between the top leadership of the police service and Interior Ministry officials over the best way to modernise the police force and what equipment to buy after the service was allocated Sh10 billion in the Budget read last June.
Differences between Ms Kaindi and ministry top officials, among other issues, may have cost her the job.
BULLET-PROOF VESTS
Sources said a consignment of bullet-proof vests, ballistic helmets, bomb suits and thermal imaging cameras which arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport last week but there was a dispute over who would clear them.
The consignment was a part of a larger one that cost the government nearly Sh2.5 billion.
The tender to supply the equipment was awarded to Primefive Garment Manufacturing Company by the Interior Ministry through single sourcing, but some police bosses were kept out of the deal.
According to tender documents seen by the Nation, the company is expected to deliver 16,985 bullet-proof vests, 16,985 ballistics helmets, 100 units of thermal imaging cameras and 10 bomb suits.
CONTRACT
The entire consignment worth Sh2.4 billion ($23.7 million) is to be delivered in batches.
The contract was signed by Principal Secretary Monica Juma with the Inspector General of Police, Mr Joseph Boinnet, listed as a witness.
On Saturday, Ms Kaindi had reshuffled various county police commanders in a move seen as aimed at revamping security operations in the affected areas.