Nairobi gets new deputy police commander in changes as 60 retire

Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi inspecting pass-out parade mounted by 1,200 police officers integrated police officers from both the Administration Police Service and Kenya Police Service at the National Police Service Main Campus, Kiganjo, December 16, 2019. The ministry has made various changes in the police service. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

More than 30 senior police officers were reshuffled in changes that saw Nairobi region police command get a new deputy commander in changes announced by the police headquarters.

Nakuru County Police Commander Stephen Muriithi was moved to Nairobi and named the Deputy Regional Police Commander (RPC) as deputy director of reforms at Kenya Police headquarters Farah Maalim takes over in Eastern as the deputy RPC.  Nelson Tahiti will take over Coast in the same capacity as deputy RPC.

This followed the retirement of more than 60 senior officers from the service after attaining the required age. In the changes, Joseph Ndegwa was named the director of logistics at police headquarters while Tito Kilonzi was moved to Nakuru as the county commander.

Western deputy RPC Leonard Omollo swapped position with Vihiga County commander Hassan Barua while Embakasi Sub County police boss Mathew Mangira swapped his with the head of Standard Gauge Railway Mtito Andei Francis Kamau.

The new Malindi police boss is Cheptais’ boss Joel Lekuta who swapped his position with Vitalis Otieno, while Lawrence Njoroge and Boniface Otieno were named as trainers at the Nairobi Metropolitan Services.

Nairobi Region Head of Operations James Mwaniki was named the new director of police operations at police headquarters to replace Henry Barmao who is retiring. Mr Francis Sang was named the new head of operations in Nairobi region.

The changes were ratified by the National Police Service Commission in a memo on May 21.

Other new police commanders named include Isaac Rutto (Khwisero), Jotham Nyongesa (Nyandarua West), Ibrahim Masanja (Mbooni), Lazarus Tarus (Ugunja), Ahmed Abdille (Mwatate), Patrick Manyasi (Nandi North), John Sichei (Chalbi), Nicholus Ngomo (Gucha), Peter Kirui (Katulani), Agnes Amojong (Hamisi), Monicah Wanjiru (Kathiani), Charles Ouma (Kahuro) and Johana Chebii (Deputy CPC Trans Nzoia).

The commission also ratified the deployment of Grace Wanja as head of operations in Kitui, Evans Ondieki (deputy police boss Kayole), Benjamin Boen (deputy OCPD for Banisa), James Okari (deputy Naivasha), Henry Mbogo (deputy Gilgil), Charles Rono (deputy Nakuru West), George Ongozi (deputy Kakamega South and Hamdi Aden (deputy Langata).

Those headed for retirement have already handed over to the new commanders. This affected all services including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Administration Police Service and Kenya Police Service.

Meanwhile, the commission has promoted more than 1,500 officers of the rank of constable, corporal and inspectors to the ranks of corporal, sergeant and chief inspector.