Former Directorate of Criminal Investigation boss Francis Ndegwa Muhoro was a feared but well-respected police officer within the force.
Muhoro held the DCI office for seven years before he was appointed as Kenya's Ambassador to Malaysia on June 24, 2018.
According to a report by Standard Media Group, Muhoro was at the epicentre of police activities and classified information that was crucial to national security.
As per the land laws, a DCI does sit in the National Police Service Commission. However, for him, he was a regular invitee.
His appointment to the ambassadorial position was marred with controversies around his wealth as the vetting board led by Mosop MP Vincent Tuwei questioned his net worth.
"The figure you have disclosed as you're net worth - Ksh 88 million- does not seem true. It looks like an understatement," commented the MP.
Israeli trained security consultant Richard Tuta informed the news outlet that Muhoro's name invoked fear in everyone and his position required one to not appear weak.
"We've heard cases of people hiding in toilets when current DCI George Kinoti walks in. Muhoro was good at that. When his term came to an end, such a person can't be let go to be a private citizen. He still must be in government. He knows too much. They can't be allowed to work as private consultants, because they know everything about the government," Tuta argued.
However, George Musamali, a security expert, explained that Muhoro's appointment was supported by his masters degree in international studies from Moi University.
"Muhoro knew much yes, but he is not the first. When they leave the force, they sign the Official Secrets Act 1968 which bars them from revealing crucial information," Musamali argued while speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on phone.
During Muhoro's tenure, his officers were accused of extrajudicial killings. There was the disappearance of the late IEBC ICT Manager Chis Musando, deaths of businessman Jacob Juma, Sheikh Aboud Rogo and Juja MP George Thuo who died in 2013. However, Muhoro distanced himself stating that he was a staunch Christian and never had thoughts of taking someone's life.
Muhoro joined the police force in 1991 and taught at Kiganjo Police College in Nyeri. He then headed the Kenya Police Staff College in Loresho, Nairobi. He also worked at the Police Air Wing and was part of the peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone.
