Inspector General of Police (IG) Japhet Koome on Monday, June 5, promoted 21 Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to Commissioners of Police (CPs).
The twenty-one officers were attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and deployed to various stations across the country.
In the promotion notice, IG Koome ordered the officers to assume their new roles immediately and wear their rightful badges, denoting their authority within the National Police Service.
"The Inspector General, National Police Service, has approved the promotion of the following twenty-one (21) DCI officers to the rank of Commissioners of Police," read part of the circular.
Among those promoted included Sophia Mukiri Kinoti who is currently serving at Sacco Societies Financial Investment Unit in Nairobi.
Koome also promoted Dennis Omunyiri, Lawrence Some, Jimi Juma, Anthony Thiaka, Michel Sang, Zachary Kariuki, Lawrence Thiwa, Okoth Obura and Sosthnes Mukiri.
Others were Simon Kimayio, Wilhem Kimtai, Richard Mwaura, Abdul Shuria, Janet Shako, Peter Ngundo, Gillon Gitau, Geoffrey Chania, Joseph Kivuva, James Maina and Abraham Mugambi, who were all promoted to CP positions.
Commissioner of Police Responsibilities
The rank of Commissioner of Police is the third highest rank in the Kenya National Police Service (NPS), below the Inspector General of Police and the Deputy Inspector General of Police.
CP is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the NPS and reports to the Deputy Inspector General of Police (GSU) Douglas Kanja Kirocho.
The duties of the officeholders include ensuring the maintenance of law and order, protecting the lives and property of Kenyans and leading criminal investigations.
Commissioner of Police is also responsible for leading a criminal apprehension exercise, providing security for public events and overseeing the basic training of police officers within stations.
The promotions come at a time when the police service is facing challenges ranging from disagreements between IG Koome and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), to insecurity, corruption, and poor service delivery.
IG Koome had been under pressure to reform the police service and make it more accountable to the public. The promotions are seen as a good step but it remains to be seen whether they will be enough to address the challenges facing the police service.
