Kanja brings nearly four decades of law enforcement experience to his new role.
The friendly match between Kenya Police FC and Uganda's Vipers SC, intended to celebrate the inaugural Vipers Day, has become a flashpoint of controversy, with fans and human rights advocates urging its cancellation due to allegations of human rights abuses by the Kenyan police force.
Article 19 and several other organisations want leaders in the security sector to act in the public's interest, facilitating the freedom to assemble, demontrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities, peacefully and unarmed.
Citizen TV's live coverage showed security agents hiding behind walls while pursuing the protesters and gunshots could be heard.