National Assembly approves Kanja for appointment as Police Inspector General

The National Assembly on Wednesday approved Douglas Kanja for appointment as the next Inspector General of Police.

Kanja will now succeed Japhet Koome to become the fifth Police IG since the enactment of the Constitution in 2010.

Narok West MP Gabriel Ole Tong’oyo moved a special motion for Kanja’s appointment as the IG which was seconded by Saku MP Dido Raso.

Tong’oyo said several agencies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Registrar of Political Parties, and the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB), had confirmed Kanja's integrity.

“On the issue of academic qualifications, which is a legal requirement, the nominee holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce, finance option, from Inoorero University, awarded in 2014, and a diploma in business management acquired in 2009. The nominee’s degree was validated and authenticated by the Commission for University Education following a request by the nominee,” he said.

The MP highlighted Kanja’s significant contributions, including his role in the response team during the dusitD2 hotel attack in 2019 and Operation Fagia Msitu in Boni Forest. He also acknowledged Kanja’s numerous awards for his service in the National Police Service (NPS) and praised his tenure as the acting Inspector General.

Tong’oyo said the committee was shocked that Kanja’s net worth was Sh46 million despite having served in higher ranks in a corrupt police service.

He expressed confidence that Kanja would effectively combat corruption, restore the NPS’s credibility, and enhance national security.

President William Ruto on July 25, 2024 nominated Kanja as the new Inspector General of Police.

He was initially appointed the acting IG after the resignation of Japhet Koome and later nominated to the position.

This forced him to leave the position to Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police Gilbert Masengeli who has since then been the acting IG.

Kanja brings nearly four decades of law enforcement experience to his new role.

He began his career as a recruit Police Constable in 1985 and he has steadily advanced through the ranks.

At 60 years old, Kanja served as the commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU) from 2018 until his recent appointment as Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service in April 2023.

His previous roles include deputy commandant of the GSU for three years and county police commander of Kilifi County.

Kanja has also held key positions such 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, showcasing his extensive expertise within the National Police Service.

Throughout his career, Kanja has engaged in significant security training both locally and internationally.