Masengeli facing fire as Kanja awaits nod

Douglas Kanja Kirocho nominee for Inspector-General of National Police Service during vetting by Parliament. [File, Standard]

Career policeman Douglas Kanja is still waiting in the wings as the Inspector General of Police, pending approval by the National Assembly.

The National Assembly was in recess when the Senate debated and approved Kanja's nomination on August 20, 2024 and is expected to resume sitting next week.

As it stands, Kenya does not have a substantive IG, with Deputy IG Gilbert Masengeli of the Administration Police holding the position in acting capacity for over a month now.

Kanja was nominated by President William Ruto on July 25, 2024, following resignation of his predecessor, Japhet Koome, on July 12, after the deadly protests led by Gen Z. His name was then forwarded to Parliament for vetting.

Ruto also announced appointment of Masengeli and Eliud Lagat as the Deputy IGs of the Kenya Police.

Kanja faced Parliament's vetting committee, co-chaired by Baringo Senator William Cheptumo and Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, on August 15. Kanja said he would incorporate technology to help the police combat crime while also promising to seek additional funding and improve police communication.

The committee's report was submitted to both houses five days later. The report recommended his approval, stating that they had considered Kanja's suitability, competence, experience, and integrity, and found him fit to hold the office.

Masengeli's short tenure has been marked by controversy, particularly for disobeying court orders compelling him to appear and offer an explanation about disappearance of two brothers and an activist in Kitengela.

Jamil Longton, 41, and Aslam Longton, 35, were abducted in Kitengela by people who introduced themselves as police officers. Bob Njagi, an activist, was pulled from a Kitengela-bound matatu in Mlolongo town along Mombasa Road and bundled into a waiting vehicle that then drove away. Their phones went off shortly after.

On Tuesday, September 3, Masengeli failed to appear before Justice Lawrence Mugambi, who had issued orders directing the police to release and produce the three in court, whether dead or alive.

Wanjiku Mwangi, appearing for the State, had requested that Masengeli be allowed to send a representative instead, but Justice Mugambi insisted that the orders were directed at Masengeli.

The families of the three, through their lawyers, urged the court to ensure Masengeli appears as ordered. Following the orders issued during the morning session, Masengeli failed to appear in the afternoon, with the court being informed that he was attending official duties, hence his failure to appear.

Masengeli's tenure is also under scrutiny following the escape of Kware murder suspect Collins Jumaisi, alongside 12 Eritreans, who were being held at the Gigiri Police Station.

During his brief stint at the top, there have not been protests of a huge scale to test his response, unlike his predecessors. During Kanja's nomination debate at the Senate, he was urged to ensure the police obey court orders.

[e-mail]