Inspector General of Police nominee Hillary Mutyambai has promised total overhaul in police service transformation, vowing to leave a mark once approved by parliament in the coming weeks.
Appearing before National Assembly Security Committee and the Senate Defense Committee, Mutyambai also insisted he will not spare rogue police officers implicated in various scandals among them extrajuducial executions.
President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated the career cop from the National Intelligence Service to replace Joseph Boinet, whose term as IG expired in mid March this year.
“I will be practical in dealing with this. Many have come before me, found corruption and other vices within the service, and left. I will make a difference through leadership by integrity,” Mr Mutyambai, a Bachelor of Agriculture graduate from the University of Nairobi, said.
He added: "We have laws which must be obeyed. Nobody will be exempted. If you're found on the wrong, you must face the law. Officers found culpable of abusing powers will be dealt with."
Kiambaa MP Paul Koinange, who chairs the Security Committee of the National Assembly, nominated Senator Judy Pareno, Tecla Chebet (Nandi County Woman Representative) and Oku Kaunya (Teso North) sought to know what difference he would make to the service.
Garissa Senator Mohamed Yusuf Haji, who chairs the Senate committee, said that fingers have always been pointed at the police regarding extrajudicial killings.
Prior to his nomination, Mr Mutyambai has been working as Deputy Director at NIS in the Department of counter terrorism. He apparently worked with Boinet at one point.
Cases of police officers killing people without trial are not unique in the country with human rights bodies often questioning their integrity in handling suspects. But Mutyambai has now promised to change tact.