NAIROBI, Kenya- In a sweeping reshuffle, the National Police Service (NPS) has named Kiambu police commander Michael Nyaga Muchiri as its new spokesperson.
Nyaga takes over from Dr. Resila Onyango, who has been reassigned as the commandant of the Diplomatic Police Unit.
The changes, announced by Inspector General Douglas Kanja, affect multiple senior officers across various departments.
The reshuffle sees major leadership shifts, starting with George Sedah, the former Coast Regional Police Commander, moving to Nairobi to replace long-serving commander Adamson Bungei.
Bungei, in turn, has been recalled to police headquarters, where he will now serve as the director of operations.
This position was previously held by William Yiampoy, whose next assignment remains undisclosed.
At the Coast, former Kwale County police commander Ali Nuno has been promoted to regional police commander.
Nuno is widely recognized as a tough, no-nonsense officer, and many expect him to take a hard stance against Mombasa’s rising criminal gang activity.
The region has struggled with armed youth gangs wielding pangas, instilling fear among residents.
Meanwhile, significant changes have also hit the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Amos Omuga, formerly the head of legal at DCI, now takes up the same role at the National Police Service headquarters in Jogoo House.
Additionally, Dr. Mwangi Wanderi, who led the National Forensics Laboratory at DCI, has been reassigned as director of human capital at Vigilance House, replacing Rosemary Kuraru. Kuraru will now head the National Forensics Laboratory.
Other notable transfers include Michael Sang, the former head of DCI’s Serious Crime Unit, who has been moved to Eastern as the regional DCI head.
Daniel Korir, previously the Eastern regional DCI boss, has been reassigned to lead the Kenya Airports Police Unit (KAPU). In another shake-up, Judy Jebet now heads community policing, replacing John Gachomo, who has been sent to police headquarters for redeployment.
Inspector General Kanja described the reshuffle as a routine exercise meant to enhance efficiency. But behind the scenes, these changes come at a time when the NPS is under intense scrutiny.
The service has long faced allegations of human rights violations, including police brutality and enforced disappearances—concerns that continue to tarnish its reputation.
While leadership changes may help streamline operations, whether they will bring real accountability remains to be seen.
