IG nominee Douglas Kanja to be vetted next week, public asked to submit views

Kenyans have until August 12 to submit the representations.

In Summary
  • President William Ruto nominated Kanja on July 25.

  • Kanja who was Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Kenya police service was named the acting IG following the resignation of Japhet Koome on July 12.

Acting Inspector General Douglas Kanja addresses the media outside Jogoo House on July 14, 2024.
Acting Inspector General Douglas Kanja addresses the media outside Jogoo House on July 14, 2024.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A

Parliament is inviting views from Kenyans on the nomination of Douglas Kanja as  Inspector General of Police.

Vetting will be done jointly by the MPs and Senators.

Members of both the National Assembly’s departmental committee on Administration and Internal Security and Senate's standing committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations are set to conduct the exercise next week.

In a joint notice issued by the clerks of the two Houses, Kenyans with representations have been given until August 12.

“In accordance with section 6(9) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F), the Committees now invite interested members of the public to submit any representations, by written statements on oath (affidavits), with supporting evidence, on the suitability of the nominee for appointment to office,” the notice reads in part.

The representations may be hand-delivered to the offices of the clerks or emailed to cna@parliament. go.ke and [email protected],

President William Ruto nominated Kanja on July 25.

Kanja who was Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Kenya police service was named the acting IG following the resignation of Japhet Koome on July 12.

“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,” said Ruto 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 a period of 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.

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