Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) Director David Birech was on Monday, June 12, named the new Director of the Investigations Bureau at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in the latest changes effected by the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome.
Police sources privy to the matter confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke that Birech was replaced by Abdala Komesha, who acted as the Director of the DCI Investigations Bureau.
Prior to his appointment, Komesha was in charge of leading the investigations into the Shakahola massacre in Kilifi County. He was also in charge of the Investigations Bureau for less than two months since he assumed office.
At the bureau, Komesha had succeeded General Service Unit (GSU) commandant Eliud Lagat.
On the other hand, Birech succeeded current DCI boss Mohamed Amin - who was previously at IAU's helm. Before the appointment, he worked at the Directorate of Reforms at Jogoo House and Staff Officer training at Vigilance.
Komesha and Birech were among the police officers promoted on June 5, 2023, to Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police by IG Koome.
The promotions also saw National Police Service Spokesperson Resila Onyango and Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei promoted to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIP).
Further, Mombasa and Eastern Regional Commanders Tom Kimani and Joseph Napeiyan were promoted to Assistant Inspector Generals.
The promotions effected by IG Koome were, however, contested by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) chairman Eliud Kinuthia who claimed that Koome bypassed the commission's mandate as required by law.
He argued that the promotions of 514 senior officers were illegal as the NPSC had not advertised the positions beforehand.
Days later, NPSC advertised the same positions - prompting the IG to warn officers to ignore the advertisement or face disciplinary action.
The stalemate between the IG and the NPS saw those affected appealing to President William Ruto to intervene.
