Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet’s term at the helm of Kenya’s police service is almost coming to an end and a search for his replacement has already been initiated.
14 candidates are set to face the vetting panel as each and every one of them will be aiming to impress the panel so as to get a chance of taking over Boinnet’s powerful position.
The rigorous interviews are set for today and tomorrow.
The panel chair Stephen Kirogo said they are seeking to recruit three commissioners from the public, a chairman and two others who are retired police officers.
Among the candidates shortlisted for the post of the chairman include Eliud Kinuthia, former House Speaker Kenneth Marende, Dr Zachary Mwangi, Elijah Kodoh, Peter ole Nkuraiya, Mukutar Abdi, Lucy Wanja, Elijah Nduati, Irene Wanyoike and Margaret Cheboiywo. They will be interviewed today.
Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch, Lucy Karuru, Albert Bwire and Kinuthia Wamwangi will be interviewed tomorrow.
Members of the panel include Kennedy Kihara of Cabinet Office, Stephen Kirogo of Public Service Commission, Anne Amadi (Judiciary) and Halakhe Waqo (EACC).
Others are Kagwiria Mbogori (KNCHR), Joyce Mwikali (Gender Commission) and Samson Kibii.
Former NPSC officials exited office in October last year following the end of their six-year term. The team was chaired by Johnston Kavuludi.
On September 12, the Commission said it was unable to fully discharge its mandate because President Uhuru Kenyatta usurped its powers.
Chairman Kavuludi singled out the 2014 amendment to the National Police Service Act and the National Police Service Act that snatched its power to recruit the Inspector General and his two deputies.
The commission also identified the Judiciary and threats against the commission chairman during the vetting of police among challenges it faced.
The commission came to office in 2012 and has vetted more than 10,000 officers.