President William Ruto has chosen Douglas Kanja as the new Inspector General of Police.
Kanja, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, was appointed interim IG following Japhet Koome’s resignation.
If confirmed by Parliament, Kanja, the immediate former Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police, will follow former IG Japhet Koome, who resigned 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 great law enforcement career lasting nearly four decades, rising through the ranks to become the Service’s top commander.
He previously held the positions of 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 Kilifi County.
Kanja 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-ranking posts in the National Police Service.
He has had considerable security training at home and abroad.
Kanja, a career police officer with a total of thirty-nine years of service, began as a recruit Police Constable in 1985.
He was later 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.
