Kindiki said that his duties were limited to giving guidance on policy issues only. He was not allowed to give orders about the day-to-day operations of the police. This restriction is based on the constitution, which specifies that the Interior Cabinet Secretary’s role is to provide policy direction rather than to manage operational activities directly.
According to Kindiki, the police operate independently and are guided by the command section of the National Police Service. The constitution, specifically Article 245, outlines that the Interior CS can only issue policy directives. This means that during the protests, Kindiki was not in a position to give instructions on how the police should handle the situation on the ground.
Kindiki explained that in addition to the Interior CS, only the Director of Public Prosecutions has the authority to demand police investigations. This shows that the operational decisions during the protests were handled by other parts of the government, not directly by Kindiki.
During his testimony, Kindiki commended the police for their efforts in dealing with the situation. He acknowledged that the protests had led to significant damage, including the destruction of about 54 police vehicles.
Despite this, he praised the police for trying their best to protect the country from criminal elements that had mixed with the demonstrators.
Kindiki also mentioned that there were plans to improve how similar incidents would be managed in the future. These plans include creating rules for designated picketing areas to better control and manage protests.
He noted that he had been among President Ruto’s allies who were dismissed when Ruto dissolved his previous cabinet. However, Kindiki was later reappointed by President Ruto to serve in the same role once again.
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