Retired Major General Gordon Kihalangwa appointed Immigration Director

A former senior military official, Major-General Gordon Kihalangwa (rtd) has been named the country's new Director of Immigration.

Mr Kihalangwa, who left the military last year after attaining the mandatory retirement age, takes over from Acting Director Jane Waikenda.

Ms Waikenda was appointed Deputy Head of Mission at Kenya's High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa during changes made by President Uhuru Kenyatta last week.

A statement from State House last evening announced that the Government had appointed Kihalangwa, who holds a PhD in International Studies and Diplomacy, as the new Director of Immigration. The statement said the ex-military boss is a dedicated and disciplined officer "whose loyalty, integrity and competence are beyond reproach".

"The new Director of Immigration has a wealth of experience in both security services and people management. His appointment greatly strengthens the nation's policing and control of its borders, as well as its internal security," the statement read in part.

Kihalangwa had a long and distinguished career in the Kenya Defence Forces. He served as Head of the Military Police before he was elevated to Assistant Chief of Defence Forces responsible for personnel and logistics at Defence Headquarters.