Members of the National Assembly on Wednesday, September 18 approved the appointment of Douglas Kanja as the new Inspector General of Police.
The decision was arrived at during a vote on the motion that was tabled by the committee that vetted the police boss. “Members of the National Assembly have approved the appointment of Mr Douglas Kanja Kirochi as the Inspector-General of the National Police Service,” read a statement by the National Assembly.
The Assembly upheld his appointment after Gabriel Tongoyo, the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security, submitted to the house that his committee had approved the appointment.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula announced the approval following a report of two joint committees from both the National Assembly and the Senate, which are the Departmental Committees on Administration and Internal Affairs and the Senate Standing Committee on Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations, that recommended his appointment following his exemplary discharge of duties as Deputy Inspector General.
National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula during a past House session. /FILE
”Taking into consideration the findings of the joint committees of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs and the Senate standing committee on Defence and Foreign Relations in its report on the vetting of Douglas Kanja Kirocho for approval as the Inspector General of the National Police Service. This house approves the appointment of Douglas Kanja Kirocho as the Inspector General of the National Police Service,’’ Wetangula stated.
Kanja was nominated by President William Ruto on July 25, 2024, at the height of anti-government protests which led to his predecessor, Japhet Koome, tendering his resignation on July 12. As Kanja waited for his appointment to be confirmed, Gilbert Masengeli served as the Inspector General of Police in an acting capacity.
All eyes will be on Kanja, especially on how he plans to address the issues of police reforms, and brutality as well as those relating to the strained relationship between the National Police Service (NPS) and the Judiciary.
‘’Kanja has been a very good officer in the service and his commitment cannot be questionable, when he was the DIG, he could attend to your issues as soon as you called him and I hope and know that that is what he will also do to the citizens,’’ Owen Baya, the Deputy Majority Leader reiterated.
”It is coming at a time when the Acting Inspector General is demonstrating impunity against a judge and unexplained forced disappearances,” noted Otiende Amolo, Rarieda MP.
Kanja was on April 12, 2023, appointed as the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service by President Ruto. He has had a distinguished career in the National Police Service (NPS), marked by several key positions and notable achievements. His extensive experience and leadership in various capacities had suited him well for his role as the acting Inspector General, before today.
Kanja;s role as the Deputy IG of Police saw him wield a powerful office which controls almost 70,000 personnel of the more than 100,000 officers under NPS. The other personnel are in the Administration Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
He had served as commandant of the General Service Unit since 2018 and under his leadership, the GSU played a critical role in maintaining public order, responding to emergencies, and executing high-risk operations.
As per his profile described by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), Kanja also served in various capacities, including as the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), where he was instrumental in significant improvements in crime detection and prevention.
Kanja was also the Commandant of the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), where he led Kenya’s fight against terrorism. His leadership in this unit was pivotal in countering terrorist activities and ensuring national security.
He also worked as the Director of Operations at the National Police Service (NPS). Here, he coordinated nationwide police operations, streamlined procedures, and improved response times to incidents. His strategic planning and operational oversight were crucial in maintaining law and order.
He has also served in various parts of the country, including Nairobi, Coast, Eastern, and Rift Valley regions, meaning he brings with him a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the diverse challenges faced by the police force in different areas.