Ruto nominates Douglas Kanja as new Inspector General of Police

President William Ruto has nominated acting Inspector General (IG) of Police Douglas Kanja as the substantive holder of that seat following changes instituted within the top command of the National Police Service (NPS).

If approved by the bicameral parliament, Kanja will succeed the embattled former IG Japhet Koome who allegedly left the service on July 12 following increased calls for police accountability over the deaths that have occurred as a result of the ongoing anti-government protests.

A statement from State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed on Thursday noted that Mr Douglas Kanja has had a stellar career spanning nearly four decades in law enforcement, during which he rose through the ranks to the top command of the service.

"The IG nominee has undertaken extensive security-related training at home and abroad. A career police officer who has served for a cumulative period of 39 years," the statement added.

On the day Kanja was appointed acting IG, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights released data showing that 39 people died and 361 injured since the nationwide anti-finance bill protests began.

Most Kenyans were angry at how the service had handled the protests with brutal force against protesters and journalists covering the events.

No action has been taken against any of the officers marked as having been brutal to both the protesters and journalists, with the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions confirming that the files presented to it for action by the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) have had gaps and thus the cases cannot proceed.

The National Police Service Commission when it presented the report on the recruitment of Deputy Inspector General Kenya Police Service (DIG-KPS) and Deputy Inspector General Administration Police Service (DIG-APS) to President William Ruto at Statehouse, Nairobi on July 25, 2024. (NPSC)

Change of tone

Since taking over the helm, Kanja has however changed the tone of police communications on protests with many noting that it has shifted from an aggressive tone to a friendly tone and that his articulation of issues befits that of an officer under his new rank.

He will take over the helm of police leadership with a full-in-tray following pending reforms at the service and increased calls for police accountability over their actions.

A spotlight will be cast on him to see the actions he takes to strengthen the Internal Affairs Unit, the internal accountability division of the service that has suffered numerous disruptions with massive transfers in recent months, a move seen as aimed to ease its strength and give more leeway to errant officers.

Kanja began his career as a police constable in 1985 and rose through the ranks over the years to Commissioner of Police, Assistant Inspector General, and Senior Assistant Inspector General till his nomination as IG about two weeks ago.

He has previously served as Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Commandant of the General Service Unit for a period of five years, Deputy Commandant of the General Service for three years, County Police Commander in charge of Kilifi County, Deputy Commandant of 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 ranks of the National Police Service.

He has equally served in various capacities, including as the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Commandant of the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), and the Director of Operations at the police headquarters.

At the same time, President Ruto picked Eliud Lagat as Deputy Inspector General in charge of Kenya Police and Gilbert Masengeli as Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Administration Police.

"The head of state has in accordance with section 16 of the National Police Service Act, 2011, designated Gilbert Masengeli, the newly appointed Deputy Inspector General, Administration Police Service, as the acting Inspector-General of the National Police Service," the statement added.

The two emerged successful following Monday's interviews of eight candidates shortlisted for the two positions.