MPs defy retirement age rules, clear Kanja for IG Police

Incoming Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja flanked by other senior officers addressed the press outside Jogoo House Nairobi on July 14, 2024, on the recovered bodies from Mukuru Kwa Njenga. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Parliament has approved Douglas Kanja’s nomination for Inspector General of the Police Service, even though he is 60 years old.

This decision bypasses the usual regulations that require public servants to retire at age 60 or 65 for those with disabilities.

President William Ruto had previously directed that public servants must retire at 60 as part of cost-cutting measures. Despite this, Kanja will serve a four-year term as allowed by law.

In July, Ruto announced that there would be no extensions for public servants over 60. Nonetheless, Kanja, who graduated from Inoorero University in 2014, has been confirmed for the role despite being over the age limit.

“They are directed to do this with no extensions to their tenure of service,” Ruto said when addressing the nation, at the peak of Gen Z demonstrations.

The nomination followed a vetting process by a joint parliamentary committee last week.

Both the National Assembly’s National Administration and Internal Security Committee and the Senate’s National Security Committee endorsed Kanja for the role.

Kanja, who was nominated by Ruto, was serving as the acting IG following the resignation of Japheth Koome on July 12. As per the Constitution, Ruto’s nomination required parliamentary vetting.

Kanja began his career as a Police Constable in 1985 and has risen through the ranks to his current position. His previous roles include General Service Unit Commandant since 2018, Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Director of Criminal Investigations, and Commandant of the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit.

Sh46m net worth

During his vetting, Kanja declared a net worth of Sh46 million. He detailed his assets, including land, agricultural ventures, a house in Nairobi, and a rural home. He clarified that his Nairobi house is a bungalow located in the Kamiti area of Kiambu County.

The vetting was overseen by the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security and the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations.

The process was co-chaired by Senator William Cheptumo of Baringo County and Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo.

“Members and Kenyans want to know your worth because you go to a big office with a big budget, and that’s when some people enrich themselves instead of serving the public,” said Mr Tongoyo.

During the vetting, Kanja addressed challenges within the police service and vowed to leverage technology to combat crime. He also promised to seek additional funding and improve the police communication team, which he criticised for poor information dissemination. Emphasizing the need for better training, Kanja acknowledged the issues affecting the police’s image and service delivery.

He highlighted that the National Police Service (NPS) receives only a fraction of its budget requests, with current allocations being about a third of what is needed. “We face serious budget constraints. If appointed, I will push for additional funding,” Kanja said, responding to concerns about police effectiveness amid austerity measures.

Senator Okong’o Omogeni urged Kanja to address the issue of police officers concealing their faces during arrests, which he argued violates the law.

“Why should the police hide their faces while making arrests? Are they criminals? Anyone arresting me should be identifiable, and I should have the right to notify my lawyer,” Omogeni said.

Kanja will face immediate challenges as Inspector-General, including persistent banditry, cattle rustling, extrajudicial killings, corruption, and conflicts of interest within the police force.

The nation will closely watch how he addresses issues such as porous borders, road accidents, police reforms, human trafficking, illicit brews, drug problems, failed community policing, and strained police-public relations.