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Japheth Koome, the nominee for Inspector General of Police, is set to be vetted on November 8 by both the Senate and the National Assembly.

This is after President William Ruto forwarded his name to Parliament for approval.

Koome (left) will face both the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations of the Senate and National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs.

Chairpersons of the two committees will co-chair the joint sittings with quorum being the respective quorums of each of the committees.

Acting National Assembly clerk Serah Kioko and her counterpart in the Senate, Jeremiah Nyegenye, asked the nominee to bring originals of his identity card, academic and professional certificates and other relevant testimonials.

 In addition, Koome has also been asked to obtain letters/certificates of clearance/compliance from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Kenya Revenue Authority, Higher Education Loans Board, Directorate of Criminal Investigations and a credit reference bureau.

 “In accordance with provisions of Article 118 of the Constitution and section 6(4) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval Act) 2011, the general public is hereby notified that the National Assembly departmental committee on Administration and Internal Affair and Senate standing committee on National Security, defense and Foreign relations shall hold an approval hearing for the said nominee (Japeth Koome Nchebere) on Tuesday, November  8 in the Mini chamber first floor, County Hall, Parliament Buildings at 10am,” the notification says in part.

Interestingly, the National Assembly is yet to constitute its various committees, which are meant to do most of the parliamentary work.

 Following the move, the two have now asked the public to submit memoranda on Koome on or before Thursday next week.

Sparsely populated

Committees shall, having conducted the vetting hearings, submit a joint report to the respective Houses.

 In accordance with section 6(9) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary approval) Act 2011, the committees now invite interested members of the public to submit any representations by written statements on oath (affidavits) with supporting evidence, on the suitability of the nominee for appointment to office. The representation must be forwarded to the clerk of the National Assembly or Senate to be received on or before November 3 at 5pm,” Kioko said.  

Koome, former Nairobi County Police Commander, is the current Commandant of the National Police Service College, Kiganjo.

 He previously served at the police headquarters (2018), where he was the principal deputy to the Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police, Edward Mbugua.

 Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow has been the acting IG after former IG Hillary Mutyambai picked him to perform his duties. He made the announcement on August 26, after revealing that he would be away on sick leave.

 National Police Service Act, 2011, provides that after the announcement of the vacancy, the commission shall review applications, hold public interviews and shortlist at least three people who are qualified, and gazette the candidates within seven days.

 Commission shall then forward the shortlisted names to the Head of State for nomination to the position of the IG within seven days of the date of shortlisting of qualified applicants.