Boinnet appoints APs to head security in counties

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet has appointed Administration Police officers to be in charge of security in 18 counties.

In the changes, Mr Boinnet announced the officers would co-ordinate all police functions in their areas of jurisdiction. County co-ordinators will be in charge of overall security in the counties working with police county commanders, county AP commanders and county CID commanders.

The counties where APs have been appointed are Nakuru, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Taita Taveta, Isiolo, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Makueni, Samburu, Narok, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, Siaya, Kisumu and Nyamira. The names of the new AP co-ordinators are yet to be published.

Those named from the Kenya Police include Benson Kibue (Nairobi), Robert Kitur (Mombasa), Jacinta Odhiambo (Machakos), Willis Okello (Embu), John Omusanga (Homa Bay), Rono Bunei (Kirinyaga), Joel Langat (Kajiado), Job Boronjo (Mandera), Walter Aliwa (Tana River) and Angelus Karuru (Laikipia).

Others are Shadrack Maithya (Garissa), Benjamin Kogo (Marsabit), Simon Kiragu (Kisii), Hamis Mabeya (Nyandarua), Patrick Mwakio (Elgeyo Marakwet), Rose Ochingwa (Kericho), Severino Kubai (Nandi), Peter Ndungu (Baringo), Eunice Kihiko (Nyeri), Leah Ngutu (Bomet), Jones Githinji (Kitui) and Naomi Ichami (Muranga).

Boinnet also posted Lilian Okembo to Trans Nzoia, Selestino Nyaga (Uasin Gishu), James Mugera (Kiambu), David Kirui (Migori), John Mwinzi (Turkana), Samuel Mukinda (Wajir) and Mathew Kuto (West Pokot). He said the move aims to ensure efficient execution of police functions at county level.

"This is in compliance with Section 85 of the Security Laws Act 2014 that I appointed the officers to co-ordinate all police functions with the respective counties," said Boinnet.

He also moved Nakuru County Police Commander John Koki to police headquarters and replaced him with Baringo's Hassan Barua. Turkana's Emanuel Karisa and West Pokot's Charles Wasike were also moved to headquarters. The new Garissa OCPD is Nicholas Maina.

The new commanders were ordered to take charge by April 28. Co-ordination of police functions in the counties was cited as a cause of insecurity. Some officers claimed lack of a clear chain of command had affected operations.