According to a statement from State House, President William Ruto has accepted Koome’s resignation as the IG of the National Police Service (NPS).
Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome has resigned.
According to a statement from State House, President William Ruto accepted Koome’s resignation as the IG of the National Police Service (NPS) on Friday, July 12.
While announcing the changes within the police service, Ruto expressed his gratitude to the outgoing IG, Japhet Koome, for his service to the nation.
Following Koome’s decision to resign, President Ruto has designated Douglas Kanja as the acting Inspector General of Police pending the nomination, parliamentary approval and appointment of Koome’s replacement.
Former Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome. /FILE
“The Head of State has, in accordance with Section 16 of the National Police Service Act, designated Douglas Kanja, CBS the Deputy-Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service as the acting Inspector-General of the National Police Service,” the statement read in part.
On September 27, 2022, Koome was nominated by President Ruto as the Inspector General of Police, moments after Hillary Mutyambai was confirmed to have resigned.
Ruto indicated then that Koome would succeed Mutyambai who resigned and proceeded to terminal leave. He underwent vetting in Parliament before being approved on November 8, 2022, and was sworn in as dictated by the Constitution.
Koome took the reins from Noor Gabow who served in an acting capacity as the Police IG.
The police veteran had disclosed during the vetting that he was worth Ksh89 million, comprising of his investments, property and shares. Lawmakers however challenged him to explain the sources of his income and in particular, his net worth.
“I have a share capital in the Police Sacco, I have vehicles, two tractors for farming, 37 acres of land in my rural home, two plots within the local shopping centre, my land in Nairobi where I have lived for 22 years and another two plots in Kitengela,” he said.
He added that his anticipated streams would be his dairy farming practice which he claimed rakes in about Ksh9 million annually, on top of his salary as police IG.
Koome made his case clear before the vetting panel, arguing that his 31 years of experience in the force coupled with a clean record was enough for him to handle the role effectively.
However, this clean record has come under scrutiny over the tenure of his reign at the helm of the police force, consisting of police brutality aplenty, especially during anti-government demonstrations in 2023 and 2024.
Other Changes
Meanwhile, President Ruto announced the appointment of Patrick Mwiti Arandu as the Commissioner General of Prisons, taking over from Brigadier John Warioba, who is proceeding on terminal leave pending the end of his tenure of office.
President Ruto also announced the redeployment of Noor Gabow, within the Public Service and designated Eliud Langat as the acting Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service.
James Kamau was named the acting Deputy Inspector General under the Administration Police Service.
Douglas Kanja, named acting Inspector General of Police. /NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE
Ranson Lolmodooni was appointed the Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU) and Gilbert Masengeli as the Commandant of the Administration Police Training College (APTC) in Embakasi, Nairobi.
Ruto further appointed William Yiampoy as the Director of Operations within the Police Headquarters. Additionally, he appointed Kainga Mathiu as the Commandant of the National Police Leadership Academy (NPSA) in Ngong, Nairobi.
“The changes notified within our homeland security agencies take effect immediately,” read part of State House Spokesperson, Hussein Mohamed’s statement.