Editor's Review

If approved, Kanja will replace Japhet Koome who resigned from the position.

President William Ruto has made changes within the top command of the National Police Service (NPS)

In a statement on Thursday, July 25, State House Chief of Staff Felix Koskei announced that the President has nominated Douglas Kanja to be the new Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS)

“In accordance with Article 245 (2) of the Constitution, His Excellency the President has, nominated Mr. Douglas Kanja Kirocho for appointment as the Inspector-General of the National Police Service,” read the statement in part.

Kanja who is the Acting Inspector-General has had a stellar career spanning nearly four decades in law enforcement, during which he rose through the ranks to the top command of the Service.

He previously served as Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Commandant of the General Service Unit for a period of five years, Deputy Commandant of the General Service Unit for three years and County Police Commander in charge of Kilifi County.

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Kanja also served as Deputy Commandant of the Kenya Airports Police Unit, Chief Armourer at the Police Headquarters, and Deputy Chief Armourer at the Kenya Police Service Headquarters, among other high-level positions within the ranks of NPS.

File image of President William Ruto. 

The IG nominee began his career as a recruit Police Constable in 1985 and was then promoted to Police Constable, Police Corporal, Acting Inspector of Police, Inspector of Police (IP), Chief Inspector of Police, Acting Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of Police, Assistant Inspector General, Senior Assistant Inspector General.

Kanja has also undertaken extensive security-related training in Kenya and abroad.

At the same time, President Ruto appointed Eliud Kipkoech Lagat to be the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service,  and Gilbert Masengeli as the Deputy Inspector General, of the Administration Police Service.

Further, the Head of State designated Masengeli to serve as the acting Inspector General pending vetting and consideration of Kanja by 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 Police Service, as the acting Inspector-General of the National Police Service,” Koskei added.

If approved, Kanja will replace Japhet Koome who resigned from the position on July 12.