Changes are being felt at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) with the latest being the disbandment of the Special Service Unit
Acting Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow gave the directive to disband the elite unit on Saturday, October 15.
All the members of the unit were recalled to the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road awaiting redeployment to different divisions.
"The DCI Special Service Unit (SSU) has been disbanded with immediate effect. This follows a directive from the Ag. IG Mr Noor Gabow.
"All officers serving in the disbanded unit have been recalled to DCI Headquarters for further instructions," read the DCI statement in part.
The disbandment is part of a wider re-organisation drive expected at the National Police Service (NPS) as the new administration takes charge.
The unit was known for its crucial role in fighting hardcore crimes including robbery, murder, fraud and abduction among others.
The unit was created in the year 1999 as a replacement of Special Crime Prevention Unit. It adopted its new name in 2019.
"It was created due to the increase in unusual and peculiar crimes within the Republic of Kenya. It discharges its duties under the immediate supervision of the Director Operations DCI Headquarters and on several occasions assist in areas where Crime is perceived to be on the rise within the Country," reads its description on DCI Website.
In December 2019, Kinoti also disbanded the flying squad which was ultimately replaced with the Sting Squad Headquarters (SSH)
The change came just hours after President William Ruto appointed Amin Mohammed to replace George Kinoti as the new Director of Criminal Investigations.
Through a special Gazette Notice dated Friday, October 14, Ruto directed Amin to assume his new role with immediate effect.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 30 of National Police Service Act,2011, William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander in chief of the Defense Forces appoint Amin Mohamed Ibrahim to be the Director, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)," the special notice read in part.
Amin took over from Kinoti who resigned from the post as Ruto was inaugurated as the Commander in Chief.
Before his appointment, Amin served as the Head of the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU).
