Newly appointed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has warned criminals not to dare him as he assumes the reins of power at Vigilance House as the new sheriff in town.
In a press conference at Jogoo House, where he thanked President William Ruto for bestowing upon him the privilege to marshal the country’s security apparatus, Kanja took the opportunity to address those hell-bent on breaking the law.
His statement was terse and brief, less than a minute—57 seconds to be exact.
“To criminals, let them not test me; I will not give them space,” Kanja said.
“All manner of criminals, including cattle rustlers, terrorists, and those who create terror, we don’t have space for them. They better look for some other businesses to do. That is my message to them,” he said.
The IG appealed to Kenyans to play the citizen watchdog role and collaborate with security agencies in combating crime for the purpose of ensuring the country is safe for all.
“Work with the service so that we can be able to ensure that there’s safety and security in our country,” he said.
Kanja replaces the immediate former IG Japhet Koome, who resigned abruptly on July 12 at the height of Gen Z-led anti-government protests where police were heavily criticised for suppressive repulsion of unarmed demonstrators leading to deaths and injuries.
He boasts of a stellar career spanning nearly four decades in law enforcement, during which time he rose through the ranks to the top command of the National Police Service.
Kanja was first appointed acting IG after Koome’s resignation before being switched with Deputy IG Administration Police, Gilbert Masengeli after he was nominated as IG.
Prior to his appointment, Kanja had served as commandant of the General Service Unit since 2018.
He has also served in various capacities, including as the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Commandant of the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), and the Director of Operations at the National Police Service (NPS).
Cumulatively, he has served in the NPS for 39 years in various parts of the country, including Nairobi, Coast, Eastern, and Rift Valley regions, during which time he undertook extensive security-related training at home and abroad.
Kanja joined the service as a police constable in 1985.
He then got 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 then Senior Assistant Inspector General.
