Coast, Eastern, Central get new police commanders ahead of August polls

A number of police commanders have been moved in changes that have caused concerns in the service as it comes days to the General election.

Some of the affected officers say the changes send a wrong signal to many given they had already planned and gotten ready for the big events ahead. The affected areas are seen as key and troublesome.

Coast regional police coordinator Philip Tuimur has been moved to Eastern in the same capacity to replace Gideon Amalla who was sent to Central. The new Coast police coordinator is Larry Kieng.

The officers have been told to report by July 7.

Uasin Gishu County has also received a new police commander with the posting of Augustine Nthumbi to the place.

Nthumbi has been the head of operations at General Service Unit (GSU) and once served as OCPD in Kasarani.

He replaces Samson Ole Kine who was sent to Trans Nzoia in the same capacity. Trans Nzoia's Lilian Okembo was moved to police headquarters operations section.

Narok's Smollets Munyianzi was moved to Baringo to replace Peter Ndungu while Turkana's George Tonui was sent to Nyeri regional headquarters.

Also affected were commanders in Kisii, Migori, Kirinyaga and West pokot which are all seen as hotspots.

It is not clear what informed the changes but police headquarters said they were aimed at boosting operations ahead of the elections, which are almost a month away.

The changes come days after more than 40 Administration Police officers were moved in changes aimed at bolstering operations ahead of the August 8 polls.

The new regional commanders include Paul Soi (Nakuru as Rift Valley regional commander), James Musyoki (Embu as Eastern regional Commander) and David Mbugua –Nyeri as Central boss.

The new county AP commanders Zachary Mutonga (Machakos), Pearson Rutere (Marsabit), Patrick Ombura (Siaya), Julius Mukanda (Migori), Ben Mandere (Kakamega) and Daniel Rukunga (Uasin Gishu).

Those to head sub counties include Samuel Kasembi (Malindi), Haron Nthiga (Embakasi), Kemaroa Matiko (Kenyenya), Ronald Kirui (Mukao) and Felister Njeru to Starehe.

The changes were announced by Deputy Inspector General of Police- AP Samuel Arachi.

Reuben Majani was moved to Voi, Augustine Mwongela (Makueni), Lokole Kofa (Mwatate), Abdille Omar (Wajir West), Bernard Gitau (Mumias East), and Mohamed Abdi (Bunyala).

There have been concerns over deployments ahead of the polls with some officers complaining of skewed and late processes.

The counties believed to be hotspots include Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Narok, Kericho, Kisii, Homabay, Isiolo, Turkana, Bungoma, Kiambu, Kilifi, Lamu, Migori, Baringo, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Meru.

And as part of the efforts to address the fears, main security agencies have formed a multi-agency team to monitor and tackle terrorism, civil unrests and other forms of insecurity in a coordinated manner.