Picking Kenya's new Inspector General of Police could take three months

David Kimaiyo's resignation as Inspector General of Police has triggered a process that could take up to three months before his replacement is appointed.

The process, governed by Section 12 of the National Police Service Act, ensures the appointment of an Inspector General is a shared responsibility of various public and professional institutions including the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), Parliament and the President.

The President would constitute a panel within 14 days from yesterday, comprising representatives from his office, Public Service Commission, NPSC, Independent Policing Oversight Authority, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, National Gender and Equality Commission and the Law Society of Kenya.

The panel should, within seven days, gazette the vacancy before interviewing and shortlisting at least three candidates. And within another seven days, they should forward the names to President Uhuru Kenyatta who would then pick one for nomination and present it to Parliament for approval.

Parliament would then vet, and either approve or reject the nominee within 15 days. If the House approves, the President would have seven days to gazette the appointee.

If rejected, the President would have seven days to submit a second name from the shortlist.