Police were overwhelmed, IG nominee says on Parliament invasion

President William Ruto’s nominee for the Inspector General of Police on Thursday admitted that security officers were overwhelmed when protesters stormed Parliament.

Douglas Kanja who is steps way from being the country’s police boss, told a joint Parliamentary vetting panel that the huge number of protesters, overran the police officers deployed in the city.

The 61-year-old described the events of the June 25 as the lowest moment in his 39-year career in the police service.

Kanja was the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Kenya police during the invasion that exposed the country’s security gaps.

Speaking when appeared for his approval hearing before  joint vetting team of the two Houses, Kanja said major roads feeding into the city were blocked, impeding emergency response like fire fighting engine to Parliament.

“We were well prepared for the protests despite the fact that the multitude of people who turned up was huge,” Kanja told MPs.

“The Globe roundabout was blocked, Thika road was also blocked and clearance was needed even for the fire engines to access.”

He was responding to a question by National Assembly’s Security Committee chairman Gabriel Tongoyo on whether there was laxity within the police when youths stormed Parliament.

“Can you tell the members, how comes such a thing could happen and you could not have basic fire engine or even water to put out the fire?” posed Tongoyo.

The invasion of Parliament that saw a section of the House torched, has been largely blamed on police laxity in managing the angry protesters.

While regretting the June 25 invasion, Kanja assured the country that the same will never happen again if he is approved for the demanding docket.

“I will do whatever it takes to ensure Parliament is safe and secure. I must appreciate police officers for operating under difficult circumstances during the anti-government demonstrations.”

Kanja was appearing before joint sitting of the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security and the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations.

The vetting panel was co-chaired by Narok West MP Tongoyo and Baringo Senator William Cheptumo.

The nominee was also put to task on the police excesses when controlling protesters as well as the extra-judicial killings and abductions that headlined weeks of the youth-led protests.

Kisumu Town West MP Rosa Buyu sought answers why the police defied clear constitutional provisions on the right to picket and demonstrate unarmed.

“Kenyans have the right to assembly, protest, picket and present petitions. Police officers are trained to defend the people and manage demonstrations,” Kanja told the joint team.

“Extra-judicial killing is illegal and excessive force by the police must be punished.”

Kanja who holds a Bachelor Degree in Commerce, told MPs he will employ use of technology to fight crime.

The issue of the degree became a hot potato for the nominee after Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma questioned how he was able to be admitted despite not attaining the requisite grades for a degree.

“Academic qualification for the nominee has some donuts, the doubt is not cleared. The nominee did his KACE in 1984 and degree 30 years later. I looked at the grades of KACE they don’t appear to meet the university requirement level,” Kaluma said.

“He did his university degree at Inoorero university, the university then collapsed. Those transcripts cannot be verified by the university because it does not exist.”

“I tried to google  (about the university) and it only shows that the university offered degree for only three years.”

Inoorero University ceased to operate in 2017.

“I got division 2 in KACE and went for A levels, after former president Kibaki came in, he opened opportunities for education. I started from Certificate, Diploma then moved to degree level,” Kanja said in response.

The career policeman declared he is worth Sh46 million consisting of land, two family homes and savings.

The committee will now retreat to write its report which will be tabled in the bi-cameral Parliament.

Lawmakers will then debate and pass a vote whether they approve or reject the nomination.