Joel Kitili sworn in as deputy IG to replace Grace Kaindi

Deputy Inspector General of police Joel Kitili. (Photo: File/Standard)

Joel Mboya Kitili was Wednesday sworn in as the new Deputy Inspector General of police to replace Grace Kaindi who was removed from office nine months ago.

This was after he emerged top among five candidates in an interview that was conducted on Monday.

It also emerged Ms Kaindi settled her case with the government out of court after her removal from office.

Sources said she was paid all her dues that she was to receive for the rest of her five-year term in office and agreed to withdraw a case she had lodged in court.

“She was paid all her dues and agreed to withdraw the case she had lodged on her removal,” said a source who asked not to be named.

Kitili took his oath before Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and was accompanied by other senior officers.

Kaindi’s contract, which was supposed to expire in 2018, was terminated by President Uhuru Kenyatta on September 1, 2015.

Apart from being a DIG, she was also a commissioner with the NPSC, positions which are both constitutional and protected.

Kitili emerged top followed by former deputy Director of Criminal Investigations Gideon Kimilu while current deputy DCI Joseph Ashmalla came third in the interview conducted by the National Police Service Commission.

Head of personnel Mary Kaol and CID training school commandant Judy Jebet also participated in the interviews.

The interviews were conducted in camera away from the media after the commission termed them an in-house exercise.

It is only the five officers who applied and sources said many other qualified ones in the regular police chose not to apply.

The officers said there was a general feeling the outcome was pre-determined and the state preferred a certain candidate.

They said that in contrast to the last recruitment where only officers with degrees were considered, the commission had relaxed the rules this time to include non-degree holders whose competencies will be equated to a degree.

The search for a DIG had been affected by a court order that stopped the replacement of Kaindi until an application she made in court was determined.

Judge Nduma Nderi stopped the recruitment of Kaindi’s successor as advertised by NPSC in local dailies.

The NPSC appealed the orders but lost, prompting the government to send emissaries to Kaindi who managed to sweet talk her to accept an out of court settlement.

Kitili has been acting DIG since September 4, 2015 after Kaindi was forced out of office in controversial circumstances.

Kaindi was summoned to Mombasa where the decision to retire her was announced by the president.

Kitili takes over office ahead of 2017 General Elections and at a time when political temperatures are rising.

He said Wednesday he was happy with the development and vowed to serve the nation without fear or favour.

“It is a good lifetime development and I thank all those who have been with me all the way. I will serve all Kenyans fairly,” he said.

NPSC chairman Johnston Kavuludi said he has confidence in Kitili saying he and his colleagues will steer proposed reforms to the next level.

Kitili is a former General Service Unit commandant and had also served as the head of the elite Presidential Escort Unit. He comes to familiar territories knowing the main challenges he is facing including terrorism, corruption and poor morale of the service.

The service has an Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet, and two DIGs- Kitili and Administration Police’s Samuel Arachi