Douglas Kanja Kirocho has officially been sworn in as the 5th Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS) during a ceremony held at the Supreme Court on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, The event was presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
Kanja’s appointment follows the resignation of Japheth Koome, who stepped down on July 12th, 2024. President William Ruto appointed Kanja on September 18th, 2024, to serve a four-year term as the new Inspector General.
Previous Roles and Experience
Before his appointment, Kanja served as the Deputy Inspector-General of the National Police Service, overseeing police operations and ensuring efficient management of the police force. His extensive career includes acting as a Commissioner at the National Police Service Commission.
In 2018, Kanja took over as the Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU), a role he held for five years. As GSU Commandant, he was responsible for maintaining public order, responding to emergencies, and leading high-risk operations. Before this, he was the Deputy Commandant of the GSU for three years.
Kanja has also held other key positions, including Deputy Commandant of the Kenya Airports Police Unit, Chief Armourer at Police Headquarters, and Deputy Chief Armourer at the Kenya Police Service Headquarters. Additionally, he served as County Commander in Kilifi County.
Nearly Four Decades of Service
With close to four decades of experience in law enforcement, Kanja has risen through the ranks from police constable to the top position of Inspector General. He has undergone specialized training both locally and internationally, enhancing his leadership and operational skills within the National Police Service.
Kanja’s work has not gone unnoticed. He was awarded the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS), one of the highest honours bestowed by the President for exemplary service to the nation.
Role in the Dusit2 Hotel Terror Attack
One of Kanja’s notable moments came in 2019 during the Dusit2 Hotel terror attack in Nairobi. As the GSU Commandant, he led a team of officers in the rescue operations, successfully repelling the attackers and saving lives.
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