NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto has nominated Douglas Kanja as the new Inspector General of Police, following the resignation of Japhet Koome.
Kanja, who previously served as the Deputy Inspector General of Police, stepped into the role of acting IG after Koome’s departure on July 12.
If confirmed by Parliament, Kanja will officially succeed Koome as the head of the National Police Service.
“In accordance with Article 245 (2) of the Constitution, His Excellency the President has nominated Douglas Kanja Kirocho for appointment as the Inspector-General of the National Police Service,” said President Ruto in a statement.
Kanja’s career in law enforcement spans nearly four decades, marked by a series of high-profile roles and steady ascension through the ranks of the police service.
He began his career as a recruit police constable in 1985 and has since held numerous positions, including Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service and Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU).
His tenure as Commandant of the GSU lasted five years, during which he was responsible for overseeing critical security operations across the country.
Before his appointment as Commandant, Kanja served as the Deputy Commandant of the GSU for three years and was the County Police Commander in charge of Kilifi County.
His diverse experience also includes roles such as Deputy Commandant of the Kenya Airports Police Unit, Chief Armourer at the Police Headquarters, and Deputy Chief Armourer at the Kenya Police Service Headquarters.
Kanja’s extensive training in security-related fields, both domestically and internationally, has equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead the National Police Service.
Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the effectiveness and professionalism of Kenya’s law enforcement agencies.
Starting as a recruit police constable in 1985, Kanja was quickly promoted to Police Constable and subsequently climbed the ranks to become Police Corporal.
His dedication and hard work saw him advance to Acting Inspector of Police, then to Inspector of Police (IP), and later to Chief Inspector of Police.
His progression continued with promotions to Acting Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police, and Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Further testament to his capabilities, Kanja was appointed as Commissioner of Police, Assistant Inspector General, and Senior Assistant Inspector General.
These roles have allowed him to gain comprehensive experience and insight into the operations and challenges of the National Police Service.
Kanja’s nomination comes at a critical time for Kenya’s law enforcement, as the country faces various security challenges that require strong and effective leadership.
