As we come to the end of the year, my family and I take this opportunity to convey best wishes for Christmas and the New Year 2012 to the Kenya Police family including the uniformed, non-uniformed staff and the Reservists. Let us thank the Almighty God for granting us the grace to celebrate the end of the year, 2011.   
2011 was eventful; we had our own share of exciting victories and a mixture of unique challenges and opportunities. It is incumbent upon us to sift through each of these and derive lessons which will make 2012 a better year for all. 

ROAD CARNAGE
Top in my mind are the 3000 Kenyans who have lost their lives on our roads. From experience, it is apparent that nothing short of ruthless enforcement will convince majority of our drivers that the law is meant to be obeyed.  Every police officer must know that we have a challenge to prove to Kenyans that we can enforce a desirable standard of compliance with the Highway Code.

POLITICAL VIOLENCE.
 Another challenge is the removal of violence from politics through law enforcement.  In the recent past we have witnessed political hooliganism during party electioneering. Whereas I’m satisfied with the pace of investigations so far, my message to police officers is that all those who involve in crime in the name of politics must be prosecuted expeditiously.  It does not matter who is involved, we must make it very obvious that as a police service we have learnt the lessons from 2007-2008.  As we get into an election year, every symptom of using violence in politics must be decisively nipped in the bud.
Even as we brace ourselves for the performance of a lifetime in the police, we have a responsibility to inform Kenyans that no police service has ever been able to impose law and order on a populace that is hell bent on breaking it: that is why nobody talks about policing in Somalia. It is not enough to keep asking whether there will be a repeat of 2007-08 come next year.  All Kenyans must consciously participate in making the next general election a show case for a civilized competitive democratic process. As a country, we should not expect to escape the old wisdom that “the best way to predict your future is to create it”. More than ever before, the world will be looking at us to demonstrate some capacity to learn from history in 2012.

‘OPERATION LINDA NCHI’
Another security matter which has seized the concern of every patriot is the Al-shabaab; an affront that has driven independent Kenya to war for the first time.    Whereas other events excite history, a decision by countries to go to war is what has actually defined history. The military is doing it outside the borders, within the borders we must go beyond the call of duty to protect our motherland from terrorists and criminals. Every rule in the book of intelligence collection, detection and investigation must be applied more than ever before. The extreme criminality manifested by Al-shabaab should of necessity provoke the zeal of all officers to sharpen their instinct of detecting criminals to a level that cannot be outwitted. I call upon officers to put it their soul that Al-shabaab should never be given a chance.

CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY IN RESPECT OF AL-SHABAAB AND OTHER CRIMINALS
 I also wish to take this opportunity to challenge all communities in this country to come out convincingly and protect our homeland from the Al-shabaab and other senseless groups with a propensity to curtail the enjoyment of our rights and freedoms.  The emerging phenomenon where crimes associated with Al-shabaab are committed by individuals who hide in our communities is not acceptable. Every citizen should become a detective for the purpose of this war and expose these criminals before they execute their savage acts.  Our constitution has extended the freedom of expression to the furthest any democracy can: no citizen can claim any legitimacy to resort to terrorism as a way of expressing their opinion.

All police commanders must constantly review their station, divisional, unit, provincial and formation standing orders to reflect the gravity of the matters facing us. The  standard operating procedures at all levels should not only clearly spell out what every officer is expected to do while on or off duty, but also encourage creativity and innovation at this defining moment in our history.  

ACHIEVEMENTS.
Let us turn to the great moments of 2011. Thanks to the constitution, this country had a new experience in terms of public processions and demonstrations. I’m glad to note the paradigm shift from gangs of hooligans unleashing violence on all and sundry, to groups exercising their democratic freedom of expression. In Nairobi, police regulated over 200 peaceful demonstrations and processions. Unlike in the past, motorists and people going about their business comfortably shared the streets with demonstrators.

 Although we still have individuals who cannot differentiate between peaceful demonstrations and opportunities for looting, malicious damage and senseless terrorizing of innocent people, 2011 has registered a basic change in the character of our demonstrations and processions. This is a national achievement for the rule of law.  As we go into the election year, those who have lagged behind must be told in no uncertain terms that stones and other offensive weapons are criminal and not a feature of demonstrations and processions. 

SPORTS
In 2011, our athletes once again demonstrated that Kenya Police can be relied upon to keep the flag of this country flying high in the international arena.  In Daegu South Korea, Kenya Police Officers left everyone dumbfounded when they bagged six gold medals. This fete can be appreciated when one considers that many countries did not manage a single gold, they actually wish they such an outstanding police service.  Although it is not good manners to demand to be congratulated, I feel justified to demand that Kenyans appreciate that in spite of fabulous offers and impressive promises of a better life: no Kenya Police athlete has ever betrayed his country by selling their talents to other countries.

On the home front, Kenya Police Boxing team punched everybody else to submission for the fifth year running. The Hockey team has similarly shown great prowess both locally and internationally. The GSU Volleyball Team was voted the most disciplined and professional for the year 2011. I take this opportunity to congratulate Kenya Police sportsmen and women and the senior officers who have managed them to such exemplary levels.  

CORRUPTION
It is fitting to remind all police officers that in spite of the many good things we have done for this country, our image still remains tainted by the vice of bribery especially in traffic law enforcement.  It is not lost to me that as a country we have not done very well in fighting the greater malady of corruption from which police bribery is a symptom. However, as law enforcers, we must recognize that corruption in whatever form is criminal.    Eradicating corruption within the service should be a matter of great concern to commanders at all levels as well as a subject of deliberate peer efforts.

LAND FRAUD.
Over the years, fraud involving land has increased creating endless disputes, agonizing losses and confusion in the land sector. The most affected areas include Mombasa, Thika , Mlolongo and the greater  Nairobi.  In response to this, I have formed a dedicated Land Fraud Investigations Unit to assist the Ministry of Lands restore sanity to the sector and bring the offenders to book.  The unit will be operational by the end of the year.

POLICE REFORMS.
I wish to inform you that my office has now established a system to get regular feedback from the rank and file on our policies, procedures and practices.  In the first two weeks of December, officers were asked by their peers to give opinions on policy guiding transfers, promotions and other administrative, operational and welfare issues.  You recall that I commissioned a team of experts from Kenyatta University to conduct research on the causes of suicide and suicidal tendencies among police officers. These are deliberate efforts to involve junior officers in appraising the management and leadership of the service. Details requiring attention from commanders will be communicated. The objective of these two efforts is to encourage modern management practices in the police.

I encourage all commanders to provide adequate opportunities for officers under their charge to communicate without fear of intimidation or reprisal.  This way, the service will benefit from a wealth of innovation in the younger officers. Let me emphasize that our job (including that of junior officers) can be very stressful. It is therefore important that leaders create opportunities to listen and make all officers feel understood, accommodated and appreciated by the service.  Officers who feel appreciated are better positioned to respect and cooperate with the community we serve.

In 2011, a lot has been achieved on police reforms. The legal and legislative framework has now been accomplished. In spite of this achievement, it is worrying to observe that many commentators have not actually taken time to look deeply into what it will take to translate this framework into better police services. In fact most interested parties are unduly mesmerized with the question of who will hold which office as opposed to how better security and law enforcement will reach every crook and cranny in this country. This can lead to serious citizen disillusionment with far reaching repercussions for the rule of law. 

As police officers we need not be discouraged, we should appreciate that even the holders of mistaken opinions wish this country well. However it is incumbent upon us who are in the know to keep pointing toward the right direction. On this note, let me once again appeal to all stakeholders to do more and  convince the institutions concerned with national resource allocation that without a complete overhaul of the resources provided to the police for motivation of officers, training, tooling and equipments: reformed police services will remain an illusion; regardless of who holds what position. 
 
Last but not least, let’s take this time to remember the officers and families   who suffered injuries or paid the ultimate price in the course of duty.  Our debt of gratitude to these gallant officers is indeed profound. I also take this opportunity to personally thank all police officers for their dedication to duty in 2011. I particularly extend my gratitude to those officers who will be conducting beats and patrols in every part of this country (away from the comfort of their family and friends) during this festive season.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

(MATHEW K. ITEERE)MGH, CBS, OGW
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE 
December 16th, 2011.