President William Ruto with the new DIGs Edward Masengeli and Elidu Lagat and other members of the National Police Service Commission. [Courtesy: NPS]
President William Ruto today met the recently sworn-in Deputy Inspector Generals of Police (DIG) at the Mombasa State Lodge. Ruto met Edward Masengeli who was sworn in as DIG Administration Police and Kenya Police DIG Eliud Lagat. Masengeli is also the acting Inspector General after the nomination of Douglas Kanja as the Inspector General, which await approval from the National Assembly. The meeting was a commissioning briefing to the head of state that also met commissioners from the National Police Service Commission.
President Ruto congratulated Masengeli and Lagat for their appointment to their new posts. “The Government pledges to support the Police in equipping and modernising it to increase its efficiency in discharging its duties,” he said. He added, “We implore the Police to conduct its activities with professionalism and integrity.” Masengeli and Lagat’s swearing-in ceremony was presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome and took place at the Supreme Court buildings on Thursday, July 25. The two automatically assumed their roles as members of the commission chaired by Eliud Kinuthia who is deputized by Alice Otwala. Other members are of the commission are IG nominee Kanja, Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin, John Ole Moyaki, Lilian Kiamba, Edwin Cheluget, Bernice Lemedeket and its CEO Peter Leley. In his role, Lagat will command, control, and administer the Kenya Police Service under the direction of the IG. His Administration Police counterpart Masengeli will be responsible for leading and operating under instructions from the IG. Lagat clinched the post after beating competition from Coast Region Police Commander George Sedah, Tom Odero and Vincent Makokha. While Masengeli beat Margaret Karanja, James Kamau and Masood Mwinyi to the post. President Ruto is on a four-day inspection of development programs in the coastal region where he toured different projects in Mombasa and Kilifi counties on Friday. On Saturday he is expected to visit Kwale County, on Sunday he will tour Taita Taveta and Mombasa before concluding his visit to Tana River County on Monday.