Douglas Kanja, a career policeman who started from the bottom, is one step closer to leading Kenya’s police service after securing Senate approval. On Tuesday morning, the Senate adopted a joint committee report recommending his appointment as Kenya’s new inspector-general following the resignation of Japheth Koome amidst anti-government protests. Kanja, who faced scrutiny over his degree, his role in rights abuses during the protests, and age concerns, now awaits approval from the National Assembly to assume his new position.
The motion to adopt the report was moved by William Cheptumo, chairperson of the Senate’s committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations. Cheptumo urged the House to support Kanja’s nomination, citing his knowledge, administrative skills, and technical expertise in governance as key qualifications. “The committee, having considered Mr.
Douglas Kanja’s suitability, competence, experience, and integrity, and taking into account its observations and findings, recommends that Parliament approves his nomination as the Inspector-General of the National Police Service,” said Senator Cheptumo. Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana, seconding the motion, expressed hopes for a new police boss fully in charge and independent of political influence. “We want the new IG to be seen, heard, and felt in security matters.
He must create a legacy of transforming the police service into a true service rather than a force. He should also be proactive, visiting areas plagued by insecurity,” Mungatana emphasized. Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute highlighted the need for comprehensive police reforms, particularly concerning the welfare, housing, and salaries of police officers.
“Some police officers live in deplorable conditions and are underpaid. How do you expect an officer to work effectively under such circumstances?” he questioned. Parliament has approved Douglas Kanja’s nomination for Inspector General of the Police Service, despite him being 60 years old.
This decision bypasses the usual regulations that require public servants to retire at age 60, or 65 for those with disabilities. President William Ruto had previously directed that public servants must retire at 60 as part of cost-cutting measures. Despite this, Kanja will serve a four-year term as allowed by law.
In July, Ruto announced that there would be no extensions for public servants over 60. Nevertheless, Kanja, who graduated from Inoorero University in 2014, has been confirmed for the role despite being over the age limit. The nomination followed a vetting process by a joint parliamentary committee last week.
Both the National Assembly’s National Administration and Internal Security Committee and the Senate’s National Security Committee endorsed Kanja for the role. Kanja had been serving as the acting IG following the resignation of Japheth Koome on July 12. As per the Constitution, Ruto’s nomination required parliamentary vetting.
Kanja began his career as a Police Constable in 1985 and has risen through the ranks. His previous roles include General Service Unit Commandant, Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Director of Criminal Investigations, and Commandant of the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit. During his vetting, Kanja declared a net worth of Sh46 million, including land, agricultural ventures, a house in Nairobi, and a rural home.
The vetting was overseen by the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security and the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations. The process was co-chaired by Senator William Cheptumo of Baringo County and Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo.
Kanja’s Senate endorsement for police chief
Members and Kenyans want to know your worth because you go to a big office with a big budget, and that’s when some people enrich themselves instead of serving the public,” said Tongoyo. During the vetting, Kanja addressed challenges within the police service and vowed to leverage technology to combat crime. He also promised to seek additional funding and improve the police communication team, which he criticized for poor information dissemination.
Emphasizing the need for better training, Kanja acknowledged the issues affecting the police’s image and service delivery. The National Police Service (NPS) receives only a fraction of its budget requests, with current allocations being about a third of what is needed. “We face serious budget constraints.
If appointed, I will push for additional funding,” Kanja said. Kanja will face immediate challenges as Inspector-General, including persistent banditry, cattle rustling, extrajudicial killings, corruption, and conflicts of interest within the police force. The nation will closely watch how he addresses issues such as porous borders, road accidents, police reforms, human trafficking, illicit brews, drug problems, failed community policing, and strained police-public relations.
Senator Okong’o Omogeni urged Kanja to address the issue of police officers concealing their faces during arrests, arguing that this violates the law. “Why should the police hide their faces while making arrests? Are they criminals?
Anyone arresting me should be identifiable, and I should have the right to notify my lawyer,” said Omogeni. The approval of Douglas Kanja despite his age brings both hope and scrutiny as he steps into the role of Inspector General of the Police Service, tasked with vast responsibilities and formidable challenges ahead. Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Kanja emphasized the importance of safeguarding state offices, deeming them protected areas that should not be breached.
He cited the Constitution, which permits peaceful demonstrations but not the destruction of property, referencing the events of June 25, 2024, when protestors accessed Parliament premises during anti-government demonstrations. Kanja was responding to a question by Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu, who inquired about the police’s inability to protect state offices against protestors. “Parliament is one of the key bodies established by the Constitution, and if approved, this is an area where we cannot afford leniency.
I will do whatever it takes to ensure this parliament is secure as IG,” he remarked. The nominee admitted that despite being well-prepared, police officers were overwhelmed by the sheer number of protestors. “During the demonstrations, the multitudes of people were immense.
Major roads were blocked, posing challenges for water canons to access water,” he noted. He also mentioned the need for better coordination and motor agency support systems to enhance preparedness. If approved, Kanja pledged to address several issues affecting police services, including improving equipment, facilitating promotions, and providing enhanced training resources.
Responding to concerns about police brutality during the protests, Kanja stressed that bodies like the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) are tasked with investigating such incidents to ensure that officers remain within the bounds of the law. He vowed to order thorough investigations into police brutality cases using the Internal Affairs Unit. “I will ensure the police service acts within the provisions of the law so that everyone enjoys their rights,” he added.
On July 25, 2024, President Ruto nominated Kanja as IG following public outcry over police brutality on protestors. Four days later, Deputy IG Gilbert Masengeli took over the role temporarily as Kanja awaited parliamentary vetting. The Senate’s approval of Kanja marks a significant step in his journey to becoming Kenya’s new inspector-general, pending the final nod from the National Assembly.
