Kanja's nomination as Police IG approved

By Peter Ochieng

Douglas Kanja Kirocho is a 'heartbeat' away from becoming the next Police Inspector General (IG).

This is after the Senate on Tuesday approved his nomination, following a report presented by the Joint Committee of the National Assembly's Administration and Internal Security and the Senate's Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations.

The report was tabled by Baringo Senator William Cheptumo, who doubles up as the Chairman of the Senate National Security Committee, and subsequently seconded by Tana River Danson Buya Mungatana, alias the 'crocodile eater.'

Several legislatures, among them Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua and his Marsabit counterpart Mohammed Chute, emphasised the need for the upcoming head of the National Police Service (NPS) to serve Kenyans with professionalism.

The lawmakers urged him to address pressing challenges within the police service, such as officers' welfare, lack of security vehicles, corruption, particularly at unnecessary roadblocks and conflicts of interest.

The Joint Committee received a total of 30 memoranda from the public on the suitability of the nominee.

A record 23 were in support of the approval of the nominee from the public.

The Committee also received memoranda that were neither supporting nor contesting the suitability of the nominee from Captain Brown Amani, Jacques Ojwang Okoth and Wolde Doyo Fanje (Junior Officer, National police Service).

"The Committees, having considered the suitability, competence, experience, and integrity of Mr. Douglas Kanja Kirocho, CBS, OGW, following the approval process and taking into account its observations and findings, and pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution, the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F), the National Police Service Act (Cap. 84), the National Assembly Standing Orders, and the Senate Standing Orders, recommend that Parliament approve the nomination of Mr. Douglas Kanja Kirocho, CBS, OGW, for appointment as the Inspector-General of the National Police Service," the report stated.

Kanja will now be sworn in to replace his former boss, Japhet Koome.

The former Police IG resigned at the height of Gen-Z protests against President William Ruto's administration.