Security overhaul: Is Joseph ole Lenku on his way out?

President Uhuru Kenyatta acknowledges greetings from wananchi at the Nyayo stadium during a national day. [PHOTO: COLLINS KWEYU/STANDARD]

NAIROBI, KENYA: President Kenyatta’s appointment of Major General Philip Kameru to head the National Intelligence Service has revealed his soft spot and trust for military men, coming at a time he is overhauling the security docket in the wake of deadly terror attacks.

The appointment on Thursday, fell into a pattern in which he has picked Retired Major General Gordon Kihalangwa to head the department of Immigrations, as well as posted Major-Gen Joff Otieno as ambassador to Cairo just days after he retired on age grounds. This is the first time since independence that the Directorate of Immigrations, which is seen as key in preventing terrorists from travelling into and out of the country undetected, is being headed by a career soldier.