Kanja takes over from Koome as police boss

The newly appointed Acting Inspector General Douglas Kanja Kirocho has taken over from former IG Japhet Koome, who resigned Friday.

National Police Service Spokesperson Dr. Resila Onyango confirmed that a brief ceremony was held at NPS Headquarters where Koome bade farewell to fellow officers.

“The outgoing IG Koome expressed his profound gratitude to the National Police Service officers for the support they accorded him while he was in office, and added that Kenya is a beautiful Country and bigger than all of us,” stated Onyango in a statement

“The incoming Ag. IG Mr. Douglas Kanja on his part thanked the former police chief for his strategic leadership and wished him well,” 

In the changes announced by State House, Kanja who previously served as deputy to Koome, will now be deputized by former Commandant General Service Unit Eliud Lagat (Kenya Police Service) and former Commandant National Police College Embakasi “A” Campus James Kamau in acting capacities.

Before Koome’s resignation, various groups, including Members of Parliament, had called for his sacking over his handling of the anti-tax protests that led to the killing of at least 39 Kenyans who took part in demonstrations.