Ruto's headache about revolving door at Vigilance House

President William Ruto welcomed by former Inspector General Japhet Koome at JKIA after jetting back into the country from a foreign trip. [PCS]

One of President William Ruto’s pressing tasks upon taking office was the appointment of a new Inspector General of Police.

Then IG Hillary Mutyambai proceeded on terminal leave, triggering speculations on who would fill the pivotal role.

Among the names floated were those of Edward Mbugua, then Deputy Inspector General in charge of Police, and Noor Gabow, Deputy IG in charge of Administration Police.

But to the surprise of many, Japhet Nchebere Koome, a civil engineer by training, emerged as the man for the job.

His appointment was unexpected and even President Ruto, in an off-the-cuff moment that was caught by microphones, seemed unfamiliar with his newly chosen candidate.

“Did you finish with that Koome fellow? Jina lake lingine? Who’s currently what?" Ruto was overheard asking then Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, during the naming of his first Cabinet

For Suba Churchill, Executive Director of the Kenya National Civil Society Centre, this was a revealing moment. "This is what happens in a government built on kingpins, where appointments are based on political allegiance rather than merit," said Churchill.

Churchill described Koome’s tenure as disastrous: “The lack of alignment became evident quickly.”

The Inspector General of Police is appointed by the President and approved by Parliament.

Under the old constitution, the position was referred to as the Commissioner of Police. Since independence, Kenya has had ten Commissioners, and under the new Constitution, four substantive Inspectors General.

Nairobi-based security consultant Chris Otieno emphasised the importance of careful consideration in such appointments. "Homeland security is too sensitive to be politicized."

Despite initial promises to uphold the Constitution, observers noted deterioration in human rights and freedoms under Koome’s tenure.

"President William Ruto’s legacy has already been determined in his first two years in office. We shall remember him as a president whose police administration was characterised by abductions, killings, brutality and enforced disappearances. We saw that during the opposition protests and now recently during the Gen Z protests," said Otieno.

Bernard Hinga was Kenya's first-ever Commissioner of Police, serving throughout Jomo Kenyatta’s 14-year presidency. During Daniel arap Moi’s 24 years in office, Kenya had six Commissioners of Police, while under Mwai Kibaki’s two terms, the country had four. During Uhuru Kenyatta’s two terms, three people held the position.

Now, under President Ruto, Kenya is set to have two substantive Inspectors General in just two years, with the besieged Gilbert Masengeli currently acting in the role after Koome’s departure.

As the country awaits the approval of Douglas Kanja, 62, well into retirement age, the next potential Inspector General, the situation has been further complicated by a High Court ruling. Masengeli has been sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court.

Salma Hemed, Executive Director of the Rights and Wellness Resource Center, Nairobi, said Masengeli’s sentence has eroded public trust in the police even further. "We now have a convicted individual running one of the country’s most important offices. How can junior officers take orders from him, and more importantly, how can the public trust him?"

Hemed said the office of Inspector General should embody the values of the constitution. "Respect for the rule of law is non-negotiable," she said.

In August 2023, during the Azimio-led protests over the high cost of living, rights groups reported that over 30 people were killed. However, Koome defended his officers, accusing politicians of exploiting the situation by "hiring dead bodies from mortuaries" to portray them as victims of police brutality. "People who died of illness, accidents, or other causes were photographed and their deaths blamed on the police," Koome said.

Looking ahead, Churchill warned that President Ruto’s second term could be even more catastrophic. "If you consider the first term as a test run, just wait until the second term when he no longer has to seek re-election."

However, not everyone shares this pessimism.

Byron Mulinge, who runs a private security firm, believes the administration deserves some credit. “While things haven't been perfect, there are achievements worth acknowledging. The administration has made strides in counterterrorism and combating banditry. Technological surveillance at the borders has been instrumental, and we should keep the faith for better days ahead,” says Mulinge.

Kibe Murage, a resident of Nanyuki, believes capable leaders can be found within Kenya to run the country’s sensitive security docket.

“We’ve had impressive County Commissioners like George Natembeya and Nelson Marwa, who performed exceptionally well. We just need to stop playing politics and appoint the right people,” Murage suggests.

Similarly, Mary Kerubo, a food vendor in Kawangware, believes leadership starts from the top.

“A strong police service begins with strong leadership. If we have a President who disregards the courts and the rule of law, what do we expect from his top cops? Kenya needs fixing,” Kerubo observes. [Francis Ontomwa]