Douglas Kanja has been appointed as the acting Inspector-General, the National Police Service by President William Ruto.
Kanja was Deputy Inspector-General and a commissioner at the National Police Service Commission.
Previously, Kanja served as commandant of the General Service Unit since 2018.
He has also served in various capacities, including as the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Commandant of the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), and the Director of Operations at the National Police Service (NPS).
He has also served in various parts of the country, including Nairobi, Coast, Eastern, and Rift Valley regions.
Making the announcement, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed said the changes take effect immediately.
“Pending the nomination, parliamentary approval and appointment of the Inspector-General of the National Police Service, the Head of State has, in accordance with Section 16 of the National Police Service Act, designated Kanja,” he said.
Ruto made the changes days after the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights claimed that 39 people died and 361 injured since the nationwide anti-finance bill protests began.
Police have faced accusations of brutality that left dozens of protesters dead and hundreds injured during the recent anti-government protests.
Kenyans on social media have been raising concerns over the heavy-handedness of security agents during the demonstrations.
On July 5, Ruto assured Kenyans that action would be taken against rogue officers accused of shooting protesters during the recent anti-Finance Bill protests once investigations are complete.
He further promised that his administration would not condone any form of police brutality or extrajudicial killings, stating that every officer found culpable would be brought to justice.
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