Kanja nominated Inspector General of Police

By Peter Ochieng

President William Samoei Ruto has formally appointed Douglas Kanja Kirocho to the position of the Inspector General of Police (IG).

Until his appointment as acting police boss two weeks ago owing to the resignation of former Police IG Japhet Koome, Kanja was the Deputy Police Inspector General, Kenya Police Service (DIG-KPS).

His nomination was confirmed by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, in a statement on Thursday.

"The IG nominee has undertaken extensive security-related training at home and abroad. A career police officer who has served for a cumulative period of thirty-nine years," said Koskei.

Kanja previously served as Deputy Commandant of the General Service Unit for three years, County Police Commander in charge of Kilifi County, Deputy Commandant of Kenya Airports Police Unit, Chief Armourer at the Police Headquarters and Deputy Chief Armourer at the Kenya Police Service Headquarters, among others.

Additionally, President Ruto has named Eliud Lagat and Gilbert Masengeli as the new Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Administration Police Service and KPS respectively.

The two were among 8 hopefuls interviewed by the National Police Service Commission (NPS) on Monday.

Under the same breadth, President Ruto has named Masengeli as the acting IG.

“Pending the consideration of the nomination of Mr Douglas Kanja as Inspector-General of the National Police Service by both houses of Parliament, the Head of State has, in accordance with Section 16 of the National Police Service Act, 2011, designated Mr. Gilbert Masengeli, the newly appointed Deputy Inspector General, Administration PoliceService, as the acting Inspector-General of the National Police Service."

The DIG-KPS’s mandate includes commanding, controlling, and administering the Kenya Police Service under the direction of the IG. On the other hand, the DIG-APS is responsible for leading the Administration Police Service and operates under the directions and control of the IG.