Police Bosses Make U-Turn On Adamson Bungei's Promotion

UPDATE: The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) on Monday, June 5 rejected promotions by Inspector General Japhet Koome including that of Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei, Viral Tea has learnt.

NPSC chairman, Eliud Kinuthia had argued that Koome had usurped the commission's role as stipulated by law.

The promotions were announced by police headquarters with the names set to be forwarded to NPSC for ratification.

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Adamson Bungei was on Monday, June 5 promoted to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).

A video seen by Viral Tea showed Bungei wearing the new insignia of the AIG alongside a female police officer and they thereafter applauded in celebration of their new rank.

Also promoted to the rank of AIG was Dr Resila Onyango who is the current spokesperson of the National Police Service (NPS).

Here is the video:

Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei celebrates while wearing a new insignia of Assistant Inspector General of Police on June 5, 2023.
Dozens of officers were promoted. pic.twitter.com/KWyssy9iBE — Eagle News Feed (@eagle_feed) June 5, 2023

Other promotions included North Eastern Police commander Tom Muriithi and his Eastern counterpart Joseph Napeiyan who were promoted to the rank of AIG.

General Service Unit Commandant Eliud Lagat, Deputy Director of DCI Nicholas Kamwende, head of investigations at Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Abdallah Komesha and Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) Director David Birech were among those promoted to the rank of Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police (S/AIG). 

Bungei, a 35-year-old veteran of the police service, was on November 15, 2022, named to the Nairobi police commander post from Baringo County where he held a similar capacity.

He took over from Manasse Musyoka who was yet to take over the position a week after he was also named to take over from James Mugera who has since retired from the service.

Bungei served as the OCPD for Buruburu and Central before he was moved to Baringo two years prior.

He also held several positions including the Commandant of the Kenya Police College and is a graduate of the Kenya School of Government and the University of Nairobi. He is a highly decorated officer and has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Police Medal, and the Long Service Medal. 

While serving as Nairobi Regional Commander, Bungei worked to build relationships between the police and local leaders in order to weed out criminal elements from the streets. He is also a strong supporter of human rights, and he has spoken out against police brutality.

In his position as the Nairobi Regional Commander, Bungei is responsible for overseeing the police operations in the capital city. He is also responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the city's residents and visitors.

Bungei was a popular figure during the Azimio la Umoja protests in Nairobi on March 20 where his hardline stances drew opposition from the Raila Odinga-led coalition.

On Sunday, April 30, he issued an order banning Raila from staging mass demonstrations which last took place on Tuesday, May 2 before they were called off, stating that despite Azimio's notice that they would take to the streets, they would not be allowed to protest owing to the previous demonstrations that were marred with violence and death.

Police officers during a media briefing on April 30, 2023. /CITIZEN DIGITAL