Nairobi News

President William Ruto has nominated Japhet Koome to the position of Inspector General of Police. With the nomination, Koome’s name will now be forwarded to Parliament for approval.

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

Koome’s appointment came shortly after President Ruto announced that the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai and Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti had tendered their resignations.

“I have received communication from IG Mutyambai to proceed on terminal leave because of his health situation. After discussing with him I have accepted that he proceeds for the six months of his remaining contract,” President Ruto said on Tuesday at State House, Nairobi when he announced nominees for Cabinet appointments.

Also read: DCI boss Kinoti and IG Mutyambai leave National Police Service

During the 2017, General Election, which was marred by violence after President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner, Mr Koome was serving as the Nairobi County Police Commandant.

He was later recalled and put under the command of Deputy Inspector General Edward Mbugua before he was sent to Kenya Police College Kiganjo.

Mr Mutyambai, who was appointed as the Inspector General of Police by President Uhuru Kenyatta in April 2019, was recently admitted in hospital after reportedly collapsing at his Nairobi home.

He later released a statement saying he was stepping down from his security duty so as to receive treatment and concentrate on gaining full recovery. At the time, Mutyambai named his deputy Mr Noor Gabow as the officer who would be running the police service until his return.

Also read: President William Ruto names his cabinet

“This is to inform the general public that I will be away from the office attending a medical checkup effective today, August 26, 2022. In my absence, Mr Gabow, the Deputy Inspector General – Administration Police Service will act as the Inspector General of the National Police Service until my return,” Mr Mutyambai said in the statement.

Immediately he left hospital, Mr Mutyambai proceeded to his home in Karen, Nairobi County where he has been recuperating. It is then that Mr Gabow took over and oversaw a tough period when the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Dr William Ruto as the winner of the August 9, General Election.

The outcome of the presidential election was contested at the Supreme Court by Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga but the apex court eventually dismissed the petition and upheld Dr Ruto’s victory.

Also read: Ruto promises to give Raila a job, if he is willing