Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome resigned on Friday, July 12.
President William Ruto approved Koome’s resignation and appointed Deputy Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja in an Acting capacity.
“President William Ruto, on July 12, 2024, accepted the resignation of Japhet Koome as the Inspector General of the National Police Service,” read a statement by State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed.
Kanja will hold the seat until the presidential nomination, Parliamentary approval and subsequent appointment of a new police IG.
But who is Kanja? Here is what WoK has managed to dig about the acting police IG.
Kanja was appointed DIG in April 2023.
Prior to his appointment as DIG, he had been the General Service Unit commandant since 2018.
Kanja’s broad expertise includes positions as Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Commandant of the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) and Director of Operations for the National Police Service (NPS).
The firearms specialist has previously worked as the Police Service’s Chief Armourer.
Throughout his career, Kanja’s has served in a variety of Kenyan regions, including Nairobi, the Coast, Eastern and Rift Valley.
He unsuccessfully applied in 2019 to succeed Joseph Boinnet as IG after his retirement.
During the same year, Kanja’s distinguished himself by directing GSU officers during the terror attack on the Dusit2 Hotel, gaining considerable praise for his leadership talents.