William Ruto Appoints Douglas Kanja As Substantive IG, Ends Masengeli's Tumultuous Tenure
- President William Ruto appointed Douglas Kanja as the new Inspector General of Police for four years
- He takes over from the embattled Gilbert Masengeli, who held the post for over a month in an acting capacity
- Masengeli's tenure was riddled with controversy, his failure to honour seven court summons throwing him into legal jeopardy
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Eli Odaga, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
President William Ruto has gazetted and conferred the post of Inspector General of Police on Douglas Kanja following his approval by the National Assembly.
Kanja takes over from Gilbert Masengeli, who held the post in an acting capacity.
He was sworn in by Chief Justice Martha Kooome at the Supreme Court buildings on Thursday, September 19.
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What Police IG Kanja promised after being sworn in
In her counsel, Koome asked Kanja to rally his juniors behind respect for the rule of law.
In his maiden speech, Kanja appreciated the heavy task awaiting him, promising to involve all the relevant stakeholders in reforming the National Police Service (NPS) that will be responsive and accountable to the public.
He proceeded to State House Nairobi for the investiture of his new rank as the Inspector General of Police.
The president presided over the fete.
Kanja will be the fifth Inspector General of Police, substantively taking over from Japhet Koome.
His term lapses in 2028.
Others who previously held the post since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution are David Kimaiyo, Joseph Boinnet and Hillary Mutyambai.
The post had been held, in an acting capacity, by Gilbert Masengeli, whose short tenure had been smooth until recently when he got himself on the wrong side of the law.
Masengeli has a six-month jail sentence hanging over his head after being convicted by the High Court in Nairobi.
This followed his defiance of court summons seven times.
He was needed in court to explain the whereabouts of three Kenyans abducted in Kitengela.
How did court react to Masengeli's request?
His troubles deepened on Thursday, September 19, after his desperate attempt to apologise and delay his sentence was rejected by the High Court.
In a hearing, Masengeli, through his lawyers Steve Ogolla and Cecil Miller, sought to appear before Justice Lawrence Mugambi to offer an apology.
However, the court firmly dismissed the request, which was viewed as a bid to stave off his impending six-month jail term.
Masengeli had requested to be allowed to appear before the High Court judge and present his apology between 12 pm and 3 pm.
Presiding Judge Chacha Mwita was not moved by the plea and declined to grant Masengeli’s request.
Instead, Justice Chacha directed that the case be presented before Justice Mugambi on Friday, September 20, for further directions.
Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke
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Douglas Kanja was sworn in on Thursday.
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