Parliament Confirms Appointment of Douglas Kanja as Inspector General
The National Assembly has confirmed Douglas Kanja as the new Inspector General of Police.
His appointment was ratified after Gabriel Tongoyo, Chair of the Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security, presented the committee’s approval to the Assembly.
This approval followed recommendations from two joint committees of the National Assembly and Senate—Administration and National Security, along with the Senate’s Security, Defence, and Foreign Affairs Committee—citing Kanja’s exemplary performance as Deputy Inspector General.
Kanja was nominated during the anti-government protests, following the resignation of the then-IG Japeth Koome, who stepped down on July 12.
During this interim period, Gilbert Masengeli took over the role of acting Inspector General of Police.
All attention will now be on Kanja as he tackles pressing issues like police reform, brutality, and police-judiciary cooperation.
Lawmakers expressed their support for Kanja, urging him to swiftly address the challenges within the police force and restore order.
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Owen Baya, Deputy Majority Leader, praised Kanja’s dedication, highlighting his responsiveness during his tenure as Deputy Inspector General.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo noted the appointment comes amid concerns over impunity and forced disappearances linked to the acting Inspector General.
Junet Mohammed, Minority Leader, stated that this appointment offers a unique opportunity to enact positive change within the police force, something not seen since the implementation of the new constitution.
Masengeli faced public scrutiny for defying court orders, leading to a six-month prison sentence for each count of contempt issued by High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi.
Kanja is also tasked with addressing key security threats posed by extremist groups like Al Shabaab, and tackling the banditry issues plaguing parts of the Rift Valley.
Before his appointment, Kanja served as Deputy Inspector General of the National Police Service and previously as Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU), where he played a pivotal role in managing police operations.
Parliament Confirms Appointment of Douglas Kanja as Inspector General
