Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery says the new changes take effect immediately while directing all officers affected to report to their new stations not later than Monday/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 2 – The Government on Wednesday announced major changes in the security and administration sectors affecting 33 County Commissioners and Police Commanders in a bid to combat terrorism, cattle rustling, illicit alcohol and drug abuse.
Areas affected include Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and all Northern Kenya counties where security remains shaky due to the threat of terror and violent extremism posed by the Al-Qaeda linked militia, Al Shabaab.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery says the new changes take effect immediately while directing all officers affected to report to their new stations not later than Monday.
The move, he noted will “strengthen efforts to combat the threat of terrorism and the creeping threat of violent extremism, bring an end to the menace of cattle rustling and enhance the campaigns against illicit alcohol, drug trade and substances abuse.”
He has directed that all administrative actions be undertaken immediately to ensure that a comprehensive induction is rolled out.
“This structure is also crucial to responding effectively to the current security threats facing us,” he pointed out.
Notably, the CS did not announce new postings for Nairobi Police boss Benson Kibue and Nairobi County Commissioner Njoroge Ndirangu.
Ndirangu will be replaced by Godfrey Mwaura while Japheth Koome will take over from Kibue. The new County Commissioner for Marsabit will be Moffat Kangi while Benjamin Kiptoo will be the new police boss.
Michael ole Tialal will serve as the County Commissioner for Wajir with Samuel Kathia Mukindia as a County Commander.
James Kianda will serve as the County Commissioner for Garissa while Rashid Yakubu will be the new police chief.
In Mandera, William Kiprono will be the County Commissioner while Job Kiprotich will head the police.
Birik Mohammed will be the County Commissioner for Samburu while Washington Ajunga will be the County Commander.
Other than weakening the education sector, insecurity in the Northern region that borders the war-torn Somalia has claimed hundreds of lives. In the new changes, Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa has been retained while Francis Wanjohi takes over as the new police boss.
He noted that already in Mombasa and other coastal counties the war against drug abuse was underway while a number of culprits have been arrested after a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“The President was very clear that the drug menace should be brought to an end,” he said. “The intelligent community is pursuing the leads. Those who have been addicted will be rehabilitated.”
The Devolution Ministry has also started youth empowering programmes at the Coast under the National Youth Service.
The new changes come a day after President Kenyatta appointed Joel Kitili as the new Deputy Inspector General in charge of regular police at an acting capacity replacing Grace Kaindi.
“What happens if there is no woman to take over? Joel Kitili is on an acting capacity and the National Police Service will look at the process. As it stands now, there is no senior police woman and therefore that position cannot be left vacant,” Nkaissery explained when asked why no woman was appointed to replace Kaindi.
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