The Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo has retired two years before his due time.

Kimaiyo said he had informed President Uhuru Kenyatta of his decision to leave the service over personal reasons. "I have discussed with His Excellency the President and he has accepted my early retirement as the Inspector General of Police," said Kimaiyo.

The 54-year-old was due to retire on December 2016 after serving his four-year term in office. He assumed office on December 24, 2012 as the first police boss under the new Constitution, which made the service independent.

His deputy Grace Kaindi of the regular police will act as the IG for three months before a new boss is named.

Kimaiyo called a press conference to announce the decision in his office after meeting the President at State House. He was not flanked by his deputies as is usually the case whenever he makes statements.

His departure came hours after Al-Shabaab militants attacked and killed 36 miners at a quarry in Mandera County. Another group of gunmen had killed one person and injured 13 others in an attack in Wajir town.

Kimaiyo denied he had been pushed to leave office insisting it was his personal decision.

He said this after he had left State House where he was apparently told to go and make his statement before the President could.

After he read a statement on the Mandera attack, he told journalists he wanted to make a personal communication. He then called a meeting with senior officials in his office informing them of his resignation.

Kimaiyo once served as the head of the presidential escort unit under retired President Moi, General Service Unit commandant and the director of police operations.

He had been under pressure over the past months to act on the rising crime or leave office. But yesterday, he said under his watch in the past two years crime reduced drastically.

"I can tell you the crime rate has generally reduced since we came to office. We have managed things professionally," said Kimaiyo.
"I wish to thank all the officers of the National Police Service and all our other security agencies whom we have worked with tirelessly throughout the two years I was the Inspector General and for the last 34 years in the NPS. I encourage them to continue doing the good work and even double their efforts in the protection of this country and its citizens," he said.
"Finally, I wish to thank all the Kenyan people, all my friends, well wishers and relatives for their prayers and moral support," he added.

After the announcement, deputy commandant of Kiganjo Marcus Ocholla was summoned to Nairobi amid speculation he would take over Ms Kaindi's position or be posted to Vigilance in the three month period.

The National Police Service Commission went into a meeting to discuss the way forward. The commission, which recruited Kimaiyo, has been at loggerheads with the police boss.