Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed that the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Ntimaru Police Station, who attended the Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Migori while drunk, is undergoing a mental assessment.
Speaking on Friday, September 12, CS Murkomen described the incident as unfortunate, noting that the officer’s behavior was unusual and warranted an assessment.
“It was unfortunate that the OCS came to yesterday’s meeting while drunk. I don’t think it is normal for someone to come all the way from Ntimaru for a discussion with the CS and the Inspector General of police, come drunk, and sit in front.
“There must be some problem with the officer, and the procedure is to first assess the mental health of the officer and then follow the history of the officer,” he said.
The Interior CS said if the assessment results reveal that the OCS has mental issues, the situation will be handled as a mental health challenge, and the officer will be rehabilitated and then redeployed.
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However, Murkomen said if it is found to be indiscipline the Ntimaru OCS will face disciplinary action.
“Some cases are just indiscipline; it may not have reached a level of addiction. Where it is found to be indiscipline, the disciplinary procedures will take place,” Murkomen added.
On Thursday, CS Murkomen asked the Ntimaru OCS to stand during the Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Migori after he noticed that the officer seemed to be in agreement with every issue that was being raised.
When given the microphone, the officer began decrying the challenges he was facing in his station; however, Murkomen noticed that he was drunk.
“How will you supervise the officers under you if you come to a meeting while being drunk?” he asked the officer.
The Ntimaru OCS told CS Murkomen that he was suffering from a flu that was affecting him.
The officer was arrested and taken to the Suna East Police Station before he was released hours later.
