The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Douglas Kanja, the former Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police, will find out his fate next week as Members of Parliament debate and vote on his nomination for the position of Inspector General of Police.
The National Assembly will reconvene on Tuesday, September 17, with Kanja’s appointment as a key item on the agenda. This will mark the final stage of the approval process after Kanja received unanimous support from the Senate.
Kanja, a veteran law enforcement officer with a nearly 40-year career, has cleared the Senate’s approval, positioning him to assume the role of top cop in Kenya’s police service.
The joint committee of the National Assembly’s Administration and Internal Security and the Senate’s Internal Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations Committee previously vetted and approved Kanja. The motion was moved by Baringo Senator William Cheptumo and received unanimous endorsement from the Senate on August 20, just before Parliament’s recess.
Nominated by President William Ruto on July 25, Kanja initially served as acting IG following Japhet Koome’s resignation. His appointment led to Gilbert Masengeli, Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police, stepping in as acting IG.
If approved by Parliament, Kanja will succeed Koome and become the fifth Inspector General since the 2010 Constitution. With nearly four decades of experience, including recent roles as Commandant of the General Service Unit and Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Service, Kanja is expected to tackle the full agenda ahead.
Police officers have shown optimism about the reforms outlined in the National Taskforce Report, which aims to enhance police welfare and operational capabilities. During his tenure as acting IG, Kanja encouraged police officers to embrace these proposed reforms.
Kanja’s extensive career includes roles such as Deputy Commandant of the GSU, County Police Commander for Kilifi, Deputy Commandant of the Kenya Airports Police Unit, Chief Armourer at Police Headquarters, and more. His career began in 1985 as a recruit Police Constable, advancing through the ranks to his current nomination.
