Newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IG) Douglas Kanja now faces a fresh hurdle following a petition filed in court that is challenging his appointment.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah filed a petition on Wednesday challenging Kanja’s appointment as Police IG, arguing that President William Ruto violated the Constitution.
Also, Senator Omtatah in the petition argues that the recruitment process was not competitive.
The High Court has certified as urgent the petition in which Omtatah argues that the IG was handpicked as the police boss since he was not subjected to a competitive recruitment process.
Further, the lawmaker says President Ruto relied on unconstitutional security laws enacted in 2015 to headhunt, nominate and appoint Kanja to the position, with the approval of Parliament.
Omtatah argues the Head of State solely relied on the National Assembly’s approval and did not involve the Senate.
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Kanja was on sworn-in as the 6th Police IG following his appointment by Ruto and successful vetting by both the Senate and National Assembly.
Kanja takes Oath of Office
Ruto in a statement during the swearing-in ceremony held at State House Nairobi on September 19 said that he has faith in Kanja’s capability in providing leadership to the National Police Service (NPS).
“In Mr. Kanja, we have a seasoned leader, a disciplined career police officer and a dedicated Kenyan. I have faith in his capability in providing leadership to the National Police Service,” said Ruto.
“The rule of law is the bedrock of our democracy. We must obey and submit to it for the stability of our country. We will continue supporting our security agencies to keep Kenya safe and secure.”
Following his swearing-in, IG Kanja took his Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy in a brief ceremony presided over by the Chief Justice Martha Koome at the Supreme Court of Kenya.
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Kanja is the former Deputy IG (DIG), Kenya Police Service.
Koome Resigns
The new IG took over the reins following the resignation of Japheth Koome as the police boss which was approved by President William Ruto.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed in a statement on Friday, July 12, 2024, said that Ruto accepted Koome’s resignation and announced Kanja as the acting IG at the time.
“His Excellency Hon. William Samoei Ruto, Ph.D, CGH, President and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, has on this 12th day of July 2024, accepted the resignation of Eng. Japheth N. Koome, MGH, as the Inspector General of the National Police Service.
To facilitate the transition within the top leadership of the National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), our primary homeland security agencies, the Head of State and Government has issued Executive Order No. 7 of 2024,” read part of the statement.
IG Kanja, who was serving as the Kenya Police Service DIG at the time, served as the acting Inspector General pending his nomination, parliamentary approval, and appointment.
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