NAIROBI, Kenya — Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has appointed Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Johana Kiplangat Tonui as the new Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU) in a reshuffle affecting senior officers within the National Police Service (NPS).
The changes, approved by the National Police Service Board and communicated on June 10, take effect immediately.
Tonui, who previously served at the Directorate of Operations, succeeds AIG Ranson Lolmodooni at the helm of the elite paramilitary police unit tasked with rapid response, public order management, and specialised security operations across the country.
In the same changes, AIG Fredrick Egesa Nyongesa was appointed Deputy Commandant of the GSU. Nyongesa previously served within the unit and is expected to support ongoing operational and administrative functions.
The Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), which investigates complaints and misconduct allegations involving police officers, will now be headed by AIG Paul Maingo Mumo. Mumo moves from the Directorate of Quality Assurance, where he served in a senior oversight role within the service.
According to the notice signed by Kanja, the appointments were approved by the National Police Service Board and formally communicated to Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.
The latest changes come less than three weeks after another major reshuffle within the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU) following a security breach during President William Ruto’s public address in Ganze, Kilifi County.
In the May changes, Noah Kirwa Maiyo was transferred from the Presidential Escort Unit to the Vigilance Department at Kenya Police Headquarters, while Deputy Commandant Juda Mathews Gwiyo proceeded on leave pending retirement.
William Sawe was moved from the Recce Squad to become the new Commandant of the Presidential Escort Unit. George Kirera was appointed Deputy Commandant of the PEU, while Josphat Sirma was elevated to Commanding Officer of the Recce Sub Unit.
The General Service Unit remains one of Kenya’s most specialised security formations. Established as an elite reserve force, the unit is deployed in counterterrorism operations, high-risk security assignments, disaster response, VIP protection support, and the restoration of public order during emergencies.
As Commandant, Tonui assumes responsibility for overseeing the unit’s operations, personnel management, training, and strategic deployment in support of national security objectives.
