Deputy Inspector General of Police Grace Kaindi exits police, more changes coming

President Uhuru Kenyatta has nominated General Service Unit Commandant Joel Mboya Kitili as acting Deputy Inspector General (DIG) to replace Grace Kaindi.

Ms Kaindi has been removed from office and named as an ambassador.

The Head of State said Kitili’s nomination will take place with immediate effect, and until the substantive process of appointing the next DIG takes place.

“To ensure smooth transition in the National Police Service, President Kenyatta has nominated Joel Kitili as acting Deputy Inspector General,” said the President in a statement sent to newsrooms.

The station that Kaindi will serve was not immediately announced as it will require the Head of State to consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish if there is a vacancy. Her name will then be forwarded to Parliament for approval.

National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Director Isaac Ochieng was also removed and nominated as an ambassador just like Kaindi.

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Uhuru named Ambassador Martin Kimani as the director of NCTC.

“Further, in an effort to consolidate the Government’s efforts to combat terrorism and counter violent extremism, I have appointed Ambassador Martin Kimani as the Director of the National Counter Terrorism Centre.  I have also nominated Mr Isaac Ochieng to serve as Ambassador of Kenya,” added the statement.

Kaindi was the first DIG and senior-most female officer to hold the position. She filled the gender equation under the National Police Service Act, which says one of the three top commanders has to be a woman.

Her removal and replacement by Kitili, a man, is likely to cause uproar among civil society advocating for gender equity.

The President took the action after holding a long meeting with the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) at State House, Mombasa.

Chairman Johnston Kavuludi confirmed they met the Head of State and discussed the changes.

“The President likes to consult and he asked us if it will be okay for the changes and we saw no problem in that. More will be announced later,” he said.

Other sources said more changes are expected in the police force after the commission was given express powers and orders to effect them for smooth running of the service.

Kitili was once the head of presidential escort unit under President Kibaki. He was then moved to police headquarters and later to GSU as the commandant. President Kenyatta had two months ago asked him to lead a campaign against illicit brew in central Kenya.