Unpacking the Oath of Secrecy Taken by New IG Douglas Kanja

Douglas Kanja was sworn into office as the new Inspector General of the National Police Service in Kenya On September 19, 2024. Kanja took two important oaths: one of office and another of secrecy, as he was induced into office. While the oath of office is highly appreciated and taken by all public servants, the oath of secrecy is very important and little understood. The paper below explains what an oath of secrecy is and how important it is in the case of the appointment of Kanja.

The Oath of Secrecy: An Overview

The oath of secrecy in Kenya is the pledge that all public officers take while working, promising to be entrusted with the handling of any official information that falls into their hands. Public institutions they swear this oath to include, among others, government ministries, parastatals, as well as other state agencies. The first and foremost purpose of this oath is to protect sensitive government data from disclosure to unauthorized persons, which could damage the national security, impede government activities, or affect the public interest in a negative way.

Legal Basis for the Oath

The Official Secrets Act has provided a legal basis in Kenya for the oath of secrecy, evidenced by Cap 187 of the Laws of Kenya. This act provides details on provisions concerning the handling of official information, particularly sensitive or classified data by public officers. To this end, once the officers take this oath, they are legally compelled to maintain the utmost secrecy even after their active service period in public offices.

Importance of the Oath in Public Service

The oath of secrecy is important on a number of grounds :

1.National Security: The country is protected from potential danger since the oath ensures that sensitive information does not go into the hands of a few individuals who may use it against the interests of the nation.

2. Public Confidence: Public confidence in government agencies would increase when they know that information given will be given all levels of care.

3. Integrity of Operation: The oath ensures that operations of the government are protected from leaks and unauthorized disclosures of any kind, which may impede the work of the institutions of the public estate.

Implications for Douglas Kanja

Especially applicable in this situation is adherence to the secrecy oath by the new IG, Douglas Kanja. The nature of work as an IG involves access to sensitive information touching on national security, strategies of law enforcement, and internal police operations. Through the oath, Kanja was committed to upholding the integrity of his office through assurance that such information would not be leaked.

Challenges and Expectations

Kanja starts work at a time when the National Police Service is facing many challenges, including resource constraints and calls for comprehensive reforms. The Maraga task force team presented its report to President William Ruto in November 2023 with 598 specific areas of reform, many touching on the police service. In this regard, reforms in these areas would require strategic decisions on resource allocation, besides secrecy in information flows.

The Role of the Public

While the oath of secrecy binds these public officers to confidentiality, it places a corresponding call on members of the public for support and believing in them. Public cooperation would be needed for better law enforcement and successfully laying on reforms. A breakdown of what an oath of secrecy is and why it was used will be deeply understood by citizens to appreciate the move taken by public officers to protect national interests.

Conclusion

The secrecy oath undertaken by Douglas Kanja as the new IG of the National Police Service forms a critical element of his commitment to public service. This means that confidentiality is paramount in terms of security, building public trust, and ensuring the integrity of government functions. As Kanja begins his term of office, it is this oath that will play a big role in surmounting the odds before him and instituting all the reforms needed in ensuring that the police service is more effective.

Appreciation of what this oath of secrecy implies would, therefore, enable public officers and citizens alike to facilitate a safe and secure environment that everyone can trust.