President William Ruto has submitted the name of Acting Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja Kirocho, to Parliament for vetting and confirmation as the next Inspector General of Police.
Kanja, who has been serving as Acting IG since Japheth Koome’s resignation on July 12, will be the fifth Inspector General of Police under the 2010 constitution if approved by the National Assembly.
Douglas Kanja has held several significant positions, including Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Commandant of the General Service Unit for five years, Deputy Commandant of the General Service Unit for three years, and County Police Commander in charge of Kilifi County.
Additionally, he has 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 National Police Service.
According to a memo issued by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Kanja’s consideration for the top job in the National Police Service (NPS) is due to his stellar performance spanning over 40 years in law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the President has also appointed Eliud Kipkoech Lagat as Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service and Gilbert Masengeli as Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service.
On July 12 2024 State House announced the resignation of Police Inspector General Japheth Koome. State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed announced in a letter to the newsroom.
“HIS EXCELLENCY William Samoei Ruto, PhD, CGH, President and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, has on this 12th day of July, 2024, accepted the resignation of Eng. Japheth N. Koome, MGH, as the Inspector General of the National Police Service,” reads the statement in part.
President William Ruto expressed his gratitude to Mr Koome for the service he has rendered to the nation and extended his best wishes in his future endeavours.
The Inspector General post has been previously held by:
David Mwole Kimaiyo, 2012–2014
Samuel Arachi, acting and deputy inspector-general-Administration Police Service 31 December 2014 – 11 March 2015
Joseph Kipchirchir Boinett, 11 March 2015 – March 2019
Hillary Nzioki Mutyambai, 8 April 2019 – 27 September 2022[8]
Japeth Koome, November 2022 – 2024
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