CJ Koome Appoints Resila Onyango to Judiciary Role

Koome and Resila
A photo collage of Chief Justice of Kenya Martha Koome (Left) and National Police Service Spokesperson Dr Resila Onyango (Right).
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Judiciary / National Police Service

Chief Justice of Kenya Martha Koome has appointed National Police Service Spokesperson, Resila Onyango as a member of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ). 

In a Gazette Notice dated Friday, August 11, Koome noted that Resila will serve in the Committee on Review of Laws and Policies relating to Sexual Offences and Gender-Based Violence. 

Resila was appointed alongside Alice Macharia who is representing the Judiciary together with Rose Wafula and Judith Awinja from the Ministry of Health.

On the other hand, Bildad Keke was appointed to represent the Victim Protection Board as Waturi Esiera serves as a joint secretary at the NCAJ secretariat.

A collage photo of National Police Service Spokesperson in her first day in office on November 7, 2022.
A collage photo of the National Police Service Spokesperson Dr Resila Onyango on her first day in office on November 7, 2022.
NPS

Koome explained that the spokesperson and her colleagues will be vital in reviewing the corresponding laws and making appropriate recommendations to the Judiciary, Executive and Parliament.

"Pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of Kenya and Sections 5, 34 and 35 of the Judicial Service Act, 2011, the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya and the Chairperson of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) appoints them to the NCAJ Committee on Review of Laws and Policies relating to Sexual Offences and Gender-Based Violence in Kenya, for the remaining period of Committee’s term," Koome stated.

Resila who currently serves as Assistant Inspector General (AIG) and the NPS Spokesperson, is the first female police officer in Kenya to earn a doctorate degree.

She attended Moi University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree in 2002. After teaching for a few years, she decided to pursue a career in law enforcement.

She joined the National Police Service in 2003 and was quickly promoted through the ranks.

In 2010, Resila was awarded a scholarship to study for a Master of Science degree in Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania. 

The police boss began her PhD studies in Criminal Justice in 2013 at the City University of New York. She graduated in 2018.

Resila is a highly decorated police officer. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding service, including the Kenya Police Service Medal of Honor and the United Nations Medal of Honor.

She is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the African Policing Organisation.

In addition to her work as a police officer,  Resila is also a respected academician. She has taught Criminal Justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City and at USIU-Africa in Nairobi. 

Kenya Police during a parade
A file image of Kenya Police officers during a parade
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National Police Service