On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the Senate approved the nomination of Douglas Kanja Kirocho as the Inspector General of the National Police Service.
The approval followed a report presented by the Joint Committee of the National Assembly’s Administration and Internal Security and the Senate’s Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations. The report was introduced by the chairman of the Senate National Security Committee, Senator William Cheptumo of Baringo, and seconded by Senator Danson Mungatana of Tana River.
During the Senate debate, members emphasized the urgent need for Kanja to address critical issues within the police service, including the welfare of officers, the shortage of security vehicles, corruption—especially at unnecessary roadblocks—and conflicts of interest.
The Joint Committee received 30 public memoranda regarding the suitability of the nominee. Of these, 23 supported Kanja’s approval. Two memoranda opposing the nomination met the requirements outlined in Section 6(9) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F), while another two did not comply, as they were not sworn statements.
Additionally, the Committee received neutral memoranda from Captain Brown Amani, Jacques Ojwang Okoth, and Wolde Doyo Fanje, a Junior Officer in the National Police Service, which neither supported nor opposed Kanja’s nomination.
The report concluded that, after evaluating Kanja’s suitability, competence, experience, and integrity, and following the approval process as per the Constitution, the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F), the National Police Service Act (Cap. 84), and the Standing Orders of both the National Assembly and Senate, Parliament should approve the nomination of Douglas Kanja Kirocho, CBS, OGW, as the Inspector General of the National Police Service.
Following Parliament’s adoption of the report, Kanja is now set to be appointed by President William Ruto as the next Inspector General of the National Police Service.
