Douglas Kanja Kirocho, who was named Inspector General in September 2024, is reportedly scheduled to step down soon. After reaching the required retirement age of 60, Kanja is reportedly serving under contract. As senior officials position themselves for succession, there is already a lot of lobbying going on.
With the nation getting ready for the upcoming general election cycle, the planned reforms come at a delicate moment. According to sources, changes at the top of the National Police Service are meant to improve command stability and guarantee future readiness.
Now, the focus is on possible successors, and one of the front-runners is Eliud Lagat. Lagat was appointed by President William Ruto in 2024 and is currently the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Kenya Police Service wing. Lagat, a career officer with 28 years of service, is well regarded in the police for his technical know-how and operational experience.
He oversaw one of the most important security units in the nation as the General Service Unit (GSU) commander for just over a year before to being appointed Deputy IG. He had extensive experience in both law enforcement and intelligence operations from his previous position as Director of the Investigations Bureau at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters.
Lagat is also an expert in hazardous materials and bombs. He has a bachelor's degree in automotive engineering from the University of Eastern Africa Baraton and a master's degree in security-related studies from the University of Nairobi.
Security experts point out that Lagat is in a good position should President Ruto choose to maintain leadership because of his broad experience and current connection to the highest echelons of police command.
They do, however, warn that more general strategic factors, such as the service's internal balance and electoral readiness, will eventually determine the outcome. All eyes are on State House as lobbying heats up and Kanja's future remains uncertain. In the next months, Kenya's next police chief is anticipated to have a significant impact on the nation's security environment.
0 Comments