Former Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, on Friday, July 12, lauded the National Police Service (NPS) following his resignation.
Speaking at the NPS headquarters this afternoon, Koome remarked that the service had supported him throughout his tenure.
"During the brief handing over ceremony held at NPS headquarters this afternoon, the outgoing IG Koome expressed his profound gratitude to the National Police Service Officers for the support they accorded him while he was in office and added that Kenya is a beautiful country and bigger than all of us," read part of the police statement.
Koome resigned after weeks of Kenyans and opposition leaders pilling President William Ruto to fire him. President Ruto revealed that he had accepted his resignation and made more appointments.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was among the parties calling for the resignation of the police boss, citing incompetence.
ODM, through Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, on Friday urged President Ruto to dismiss Koome and the Nairobi Regional Police Commander.
According to the party, the two were responsible for the deaths and injuries sustained during recent protests in the city and across the country.
The party also demanded the arrest of all police officers implicated in the murder of the victims.
Koome’s resignation came just hours after this demand, and he will be replaced by Douglas Kanja, who was serving as the Deputy Inspector General of the National Police Service.
President Ruto also redeployed Noor Gabow within the Public Service and appointed Patrick Mwiti as the Commissioner General of Prisons.
Koome was nominated in September 2022 by the Head of State, replacing Hillary Mutyambai from the previous administration.
The former IG's resignation followed a day after Ruto dismissed his entire cabinet amid weeks of demonstrations.
