DCI Boss George Kinoti, IG Mutyambai Resign

UPDATE 6.13 PM: President William Ruto has nominated Japhet Koome as the next Inspector General of Police, moments after he announced Hillary Mutyambai's resignation.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 27, Ruto indicated that Koome will succeed Mutyambai who resigned and proceeded to terminal leave. He will undergo vetting in Parliament before being sworn in as dictated by the Constitution.

"His Excellency President William Ruto has nominated Eng Japhet Koome Nchebere to the position of Inspector General of Police (IGP) as promised during the Head of State's Address to the Nation this afternoon.

"Koome, a former Nairobi County Police Commander, is the current Commandant of  the National Police Service College, Kiganjo," outgoing State House spokesperson Kanze Dena stated in part.

The Inspector-General is appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament; and shall exercise independent command over the National Police Service, and perform any other functions prescribed by national legislation, according to Article 245 of the Constitution. 

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss, George Kinoti, has resigned.

President William Ruto made public the announcement of Kinoti's resignation during a media briefing at State House in Nairobi.

At the same time, Inspector General (IG) of Police, Hilary Mutyambai handed his resignation letter upon requesting to proceed on terminal leave and he (the President) accepted his resignation. 

Inspector General of Police, Hilary Mutyambai, and Director General of Criminal Investigations, George Kinoti. /FILE

"IG Police Mutyambai for his request to proceed on terminal leave because of his health situation. After discussions with Mutyambai and in consideration of his service to the nation and his health, I have accepted that he will proceed on terminal leave in the six months that he has on his contract.

"I have also received the resignation of DCI Kinoti. I have directed the National Police Service (NPS) to proceed with advertising that position. Meanwhile, they should get somebody to act in that position," he said while naming Cabinet Secretaries to work in his administration.

The IG had announced on August 26, 2022, that he would take a break to seek medical attention, without revealing what he was suffering from. He, however, assured Kenyans that he was advised to immediately proceed to a hospital for analysis and further advice. 

At the time, Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow took charge in an acting capacity. 

"This is to inform the general public that I will be away from the office attending to a medical checkup effective today August 26, 2022.

"In my absence, Mr Noor Gabow, the Deputy Inspector General - Administration Police Service, will act as the Inspector General of the National Police Service until my return," he stated.

On September 2, 2022, the IG was discharged from the hospital and announced that he was recuperating at home. 

Kinoti has been on a collision course with the Kenya Kwanza administration with one of the verbal scuffles coming after the DCI arrested three Venezuelans at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in possession of sensitive election materials.

"What is his name? the guy called Kinoti should stop what he is doing over the recent political stunts. There's nothing that he has done in his docket aside from political theatrics.

"He runs to publish cases in newspapers and drafts long letters on social media platforms. Kindly, spare us the time and leave matters to IEBC. You have no business in IEBC. You have failed as the DCI, we do not want you to fail our elections," Ruto stated during his campaign trails.

DCI officers at DP Ruto's Transnational Plaza office on July 24, 2022. /FACEBOOK