The search kicked off over who will replace Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet as the expiry of his term fast approaches.
Boinnet was sworn in on March 11, 2015, to tackle terror attacks that had gripped the country, is set to retire in slightly less than three months as outlined by the Constitution.
“The Inspector-General shall be appointed for a single four-year term and is not eligible for re-appointment,” the Constitution states.
A cut-throat competition by power players who are keen on influencing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s next choice of police boss to their favour kicked off.
Those in the know claim that the selection of the next IG will not just be about who will be in charge of the police but it would be heavily influenced by politics.
Among those alleged to replace Boinnet are Edward Njoroge Mbugua, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Police, and Noor Gabbow, the head of Administration Police.
The President could also appoint one of State House’s insiders and National Intelligence Service Director General Philip Kameru or Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti.
There is intense lobbying for either Mbugua or Gabbow to succeed Boinnet since both were appointed to their positions this year after the firing of Joel Kitili (Deputy IG in charge of police) and Samuel Arachi (Deputy IG in charge of AP).
Mbugua, seen as a close ally of the President having previously worked as the head of the presidential guard and his appointment as deputy IG despite being aged above 55, has been described by observers as quite telling.
While addressing police chiefs at the end of last week, President Kenyatta reiterated his intention to transform the service through reforms already initiated.
