- Upon successful approval by the Parliamentary Committee, Kanja will replace former IG Japhet Koome.
- Koome tendered his resignation on July 12, 2024, and Kanja took over in the acting position.
Image: FILE
The National Assembly Committee will on Thursday vet Inspector General of Police nominee Douglas Kanja.
He will be vetted by the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security and the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations.
The session will be co-chaired by Gabriel Tongoyo, MP (Narok West) and Senator William Cheptumo (Baringo County).
Kanja was nominated for the position by President William Ruto.
Upon successful approval by the Parliamentary Committee, Kanja will replace former IG Japhet Koome.
Koome tendered his resignation on July 12, 2024, and Kanja took over in the acting position.
“In accordance with Article 245 (2) of the Constitution, His Excellency the President has, nominated Douglas Kanja Kirocho for appointment as the Inspector-General of the National Police Service,” Ruto said in a statement.
Kanja has had a stellar career spanning nearly four decades in law enforcement, during which he rose through the ranks to the top command of the Service.
He previously served as Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Commandant of the General Service Unit for five years, Deputy Commandant of the General Service Unit for three years and County Police Commander in charge of Kilifi County.
He has also served as Deputy Commandant of the Kenya Airports Police Unit, Chief Armourer at the Police Headquarters and Deputy Chief Armourer at the Kenya Police Service Headquarters, among other high-level positions within the ranks of the National Police Service.
The IG nominee has undertaken extensive security-related training at home and abroad.
A career police officer who has served for a cumulative period of thirty-nine years, Kanja began his career as a recruit Police Constable in 1985.
He was then promoted to Police Constable, Police Corporal, Acting Inspector of Police, Inspector of Police (IP), Chief Inspector of Police, Acting Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of Police, Assistant Inspector General and Senior Assistant Inspector General.