President William Ruto on Thursday nominated Douglas Kanja to the position of Inspector General of Police hardly a fortnight after the resignation of Japhet Koome.
According to Ruto, Douglas Kanja boasts a stellar career spanning nearly four decades in law enforcement, a period which saw him rise through the ranks to the top command of the service.
“In accordance with Article 245 (2) of the Constitution, His Excellency the President has nominated Douglas Kanja Kirocho for appointment as the Inspector-General of the National Police Service,” Ruto said in a statement.
In the same press release, the Head of State also appointed Eliud Langat to the position of Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service.
Ruto also appointed Gilbert Masengeli as the new Deputy Inspector-General (Administration Police Service).
The president announced that Masengeli will be the acting Inspector General pending Kanja's confirmation as a substantive IG.
Before his nomination, Kanja served as Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service. He also served as the Commandant of the General Service Unit for five years and as Deputy Commandant of the General Service Unit for three years.
Additionally, Kanja served as the County Police Commander of Kilifi County, Deputy Commandant of the Kenya Airports Police Unit, Chief Armourer at the Police Headquarters and Deputy Chief Armourer at the Kenya Police Service Headquarters.
"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 thirty-nine years," Ruto revealed.
Kanja's career in the service began way back in 1985 when he was recruited as a Police Constable before he was promoted to Police Corporal, Acting Inspector of Police, Inspector of Police (IP) and then Chief Inspector of Police.
He quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed to the position of Superintendent of Police then later to Senior Superintendent of Police and to Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police.
His career progressively soared after he was appointed as the Commissioner of Police and Assistant Inspector General.
Kanja is set to be vetted by both the National Assembly and the Senate. If his nomination is approved, he would replace Japhet Koome who stepped down two weeks ago.
The latest announcement comes against the backdrop of Ruto's nomination of cabinet secretaries whose fate awaits parliamentary scrutiny.
