• Commission chairman Eliud Kinuthia said they expect to get a substantive DCI within the period.
• Massa was promoted to take over as the deputy DCI in changes announced in May 2022, following the retirement of Joseph Ashmalla from the service after attaining mandatory age.
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The acting deputy director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Hamisi Massa will act as the Director for 14 days.
This will pave way for filling of the position competitively, the National Police Service Commission said.
This follows the departure of George Kinoti from the position.
Commission chairman Eliud Kinuthia said they expect to get a substantive DCI within the period.
“Massa will be the DCI in an acting capacity, until the position is filled substantively and competitively in at least 14 days,” he said.
Massa was promoted to take over as the deputy DCI in changes announced in May 2022, following the retirement of Joseph Ashmalla from the service after attaining mandatory age.
He is a long-serving director of Anti Narcotics Unit (ANU) and his appointment was seen as a reward for his work. Many describe him as a loyal and reserved officer.
He is likely to seek to also be named the substantive DCI.
The commission is seeking to recruit a new DCI and those who want to succeed Kinoti have until October 6 to apply.
They must have a degree, 10 years experience and proven knowledge of criminal investigations.
The position fell vacant following the resignation of Kinoti in an announcement made by President William Ruto on Tuesday, September 27.
“Applicants must be citizens of Kenya, hold a degree from a recognized university, 10 years experience in management and proven knowledge in criminal investigations and policing and meet requirements for chapter six of Constitution of Kenya 2010,” Kinuthia said.
All other requirements are outlined in Section 29 of the National Police Service Act.
Among those seeking to succeed Kinoti is Eliud Langat, Munga Nyale, Wanderi Mwangi, Carrey Nyawinda, Mohamed Amin and Nicholas Kamwende.
Kinoti has been at the helm of the criminal investigating agency since 2018.
His resignation was imminent after Ruto accused him of being used to weaponise the war on graft and being used to persecute political opponents in the former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua put him on the spot for targeting people affiliated to their formation which did not enjoy the backing of the State.
Section 30 of the National Police Service Act provides that whenever a vacancy occurs in the Office of the Director of Criminal Investigations, the Commission shall, by notice in the gazette and at least two daily newspapers of national circulation, declare a vacancy and request for applications.
Any person qualified in accordance with this Act may make an application to the Commission within fourteen days of the publication of the notice.
The Commission shall then consider the applications, conduct public interviews and shortlist at least three persons qualified for the positions advertised.
“The names of the shortlisted persons under subsection (3) shall be published in the Gazette. The Commission shall, within seven days from the date of publication of names under subsection (4), forward the shortlisted names to the President,” the National Police Service Act states.
The president shall then within seven days of receipt of the names forwarded under subsection (5), by notice in the gazette appoint a person as the Director of Criminal Investigations.