National Assembly reveals date, panel to vet nominated Police IG Kanja
By Kiplagat Sang, August 14, 2024
The National Assembly will vet the Police Inspector General nominee Douglas Kanja on Thursday, August 15, 2024.
According to a statement released by the National Assembly on X, the vetting panel will be chaired by Narok West Member of Parliament Gabriel Tongoyo and Baringo Senator William Cheptumo.
“The National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security and the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations will on Thursday, August 15, 2024, vet Mr. Douglas Kanja Kirocho, nominee for the position of Inspector General. The session will be co-chaired by Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo, MP (Narok West), and Sen. William Cheptumo (Baringo County),” the statement released on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
Kanja, who is acting as Police IG, was elevated to the position by President William Ruto following the resignation of Japeth Koome. The president went ahead to nominate the career police officer, and as dictated by the constitution, Kanja will first undergo a vetting process by the parliament.
Kanja’s career
According to the NPS website, Kanja has had a career spanning nearly four decades in law enforcement, during which he rose through the ranks to the top command of the service.
Kanja previously served as Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Commandant of the General Service Unit for a period of five years, Deputy Commandant of the General Service Unit for three years, County Police Commander in charge of Kilifi County, Deputy Commandant of Kenya Airports Police Unit, Chief Armourer at the Police Headquarters, and Deputy Chief Armourer at the Kenya Police Service Headquarters.
The IG nominee has undertaken extensive security-related training at home and abroad. A career police officer who has served for a cumulative period of thirty-nine years, Kanja began his career as a recruit police constable in 1985 and was then promoted to police constable, police corporal, acting inspector of police, inspector of police (IP), chief inspector of police, acting superintendent of police, superintendent of police, senior superintendent of police, senior assistant commissioner of police, commissioner of police, assistant inspector general, and senior assistant inspector general.