The Director of the National Police Service’s Internal Affairs Unit Abdallah Komesha Thursday made a return to the Director of Criminal Investigations and named the new director of Investigations Bureau.
Komesha replaced David Birech who had in June this year taken over from him (Komesha).
Birech was recalled to police headquarters where he will be assigned new work, officials said.
Deputy Director of Operations at police headquarters Judy Jebet Ndeda was named the new director of IAU replacing Komesha.
The changes were announced Thursday, November 30, by police headquarters and the officers were told to report immediately.
Officials said more changes are expected in the coming months as several officers have retired.
Komesha was in charge of investigations of the Shakahola massacre in Kilifi before he was recalled and moved to IAU.
Komesha had been in charge at the Investigations Bureau for less than two months after he took over from Eliud Lagat who was promoted and named the Commandant of the General Service Unit.
Komesha had also acted as the Deputy Inspector General of Kenya police for two months before Douglas Kanja was named the substantive DIG.
IB is seen as key in police work as it gives directions on various investigations.
The task force on police reforms in its latest report recommended that Parliament should amend Section 87 of the National Police Service Act to provide for competitive recruitment of the IAU Director, secure the tenure of the Director and clearly state the Director’s mandate.
It called for decentralisation of the Unit’s functions and to expressly authorise the IAU to enforce discipline and professional standards within the NPS.
“The NPS Act should be further amended to focus the functions of IAU on strictly disciplinary offences and not criminal matters that fall within the purview of DCI and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority,” the report says.
Part of the functions of IAU include receiving and investigating complaints against police.
It also promotes uniform standards of discipline and good order in the service and keeps a record of facts of any complaints or investigations made to it.
Without making prejudice the Unit may where necessary investigate and recommend appropriate action in respect of anyone found engaging in any unlawful conduct.
The unit is currently handling dozens of complaints against police, among them claims of extra-judicial killings.