There is disquiet within the police service following an order issued on Wednesday that restricts the manner in which officers are visited within the police lines.
In the order which was issued by Aineah Olweywe who is the Deputy Inspector General, officers who want to take their visitors into police lines should ensure they seek written permission from their bosses.
"The deputy Inspector-General has directed that you ensure compliance of the provision of the above section of the SSO CMM that states any officer wishing to bring relatives or friends into the lines shall obtain written permission from the in-charge and shall be registered," the statement reads in part.
Olweywe further said that police lines and other police premises are vital installations and security is paramount important.
The Deputy Inspector General ordered in the memo that all officers related to the lowest level of command to total compliance.
The issued memo has attracted condemnation from junior officers who wondered how could those who reside in their own rented houses seek permission from their bosses before allowing visitors into their houses.
A police officer who is based in Nairobi told K24 Digital that he already resides out of the police lines but his house is considered a premise that is occupied by an officer should he seek permission to bring someone to his house.
"How now can I go to my boss to tell them that I will have visitors in my house? How is that their business?" Posed the officer.
He said that in as much as officers are guided by the vow they make, asking for permission for someone to visit them was interfering with their privacy.
Another officer said that in the recent past colleagues have raised concern about being mistreated at work which can be a clear chance of the bosses to go on exploiting them.
"The boss can just decide to frustrate you because you not in terms of delay allowing your visitors in and if you go ahead and allow them in turn against you. They should look at this," he said.
Another officer said that her husband is fond of making surprise visits since they live in two separate areas.
She said that such a call can only bring doubts and issues in her relationship.
Police officers willing to reside out of police lines were allowed to do so in 2018 and even given house allowance under the leadership of former Inspector General Joseph Boinnet.
