Douglas Kanja Kirocho took the oath of office as the new deputy inspector general of the National Police Service (NPS) on Thursday morning, April 13, replacing Edward Njoroge Mbugua, who recently retired after 46 years of service.
The swearing-in ceremony, which was held at the Supreme Court of Kenya grounds in Nairobi, was presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
"One of the mandates of the Kenya Police Service is to ensure the safety and security of the Kenyan people and their properties.
"The Kenya Police Service is expected to discharge this mandate within the confines of the constitutionally envisaged democratic policing whilst remaining accountable to the Kenyan people," CJ Koome advised after presiding over the event.
Kanja’s journey to the top management of the NPS started in 1988. Through hard work and commitment, he slowly rose through the ranks.
Until his appointment by President William Ruto, Kanja was the Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU), headquartered in Ruaraka, succeeding Stephen Chelimo in 2018.
It was during his tenure as the GSU commandant that Kanja rose into the limelight.
In January 2019, under his leadership, GSU’s elite unit, the Recce Squad, managed to rescue over 100 individuals during the Dusit terror attack.
Prior to his appointment as the GSU commandant, Kanja served as the Kilifi County Police boss.
Between 2005 and 2013, he acted as the chief armourer for the Kenya Police Service.
Kanja has also previously served as the deputy commandant Kenya Airports Police Unit and the director of operations at the NPS.
Some of the operations he has led in the past include Operation Rejesha Amani in Isiolo and Marsabit counties and Operation Fagia Msitu in Boni Forest.
Besides deputising Inspector General, Japhet Koome, Kanja will also be in charge of units such as the GSU, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Traffic Police Department.
He will also manage the Kenya Police Traning College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.
