Police bosses reshuffled

By Cyrus Ombati

Forty seven senior police officers have been moved in changes aimed at boosting security at the newly created police divisions in the country.

Among those moved include 20 Officers Commanding Police Division (OCPDs) and several deputies.

Mr Leonard Omollo was moved from police headquarters’ complaints section to Coast where he will head administration while Ms Christine Mutua was moved to Rift Valley. Ms Mutua will be replaced at the Central Stores by Mr Peter Ndungu.

The new Railways OCPD is Ms Sarah Duncan while Mr David Muthuri has been moved from Bungoma East and named deputy head of Criminal Intelligence Unit at CID headquarters.

The changes were announced by commissioner of police Mathew Iteere who named Mr Joseph Omija the new Makindu OCPD, Ahmed Mohamed (Kakamega South), Patrick Kibunja Mbarire (Igembe South), Charles Wambugu (Kakamega Central), Charles Musewe (Baringo) and Allan Simba (Bungoma East).

Other OCPDs named include Philip Chirchir (Wajir West), Elias Gitonga (Nyando), Nelson Daliti (Eldoret East), Halima Mohamed Abdi (Moi Airbase Mombasa), Dishon Chadaka (Borabu), Peter Nyangaresi (Kisumu North), Stephen Oduor (Rhamu), Jackson Mwenga (Pokot North) and Nicholas Maina (Eldoret South).

In the changes, Iteere named a number of deputy OCPDs who include Sharma Boy (Narok), Wilson Kosgei (Kakamega Central), Joshua Aseto (Turkana South), Martha Ngetich (Kiambu), Daniel Chacha (Bondo), Joshua Koech (Pokot East), Silas Sato (Lagdera), Charles Chebet (Bungoma East), Benjamin Rotich (Kayole), Jane Jebet Sang (Kilifi), Ancent Kaloki (Butere), Kaburu Manyara (Webuye)  and Gerald Mbae (Kilindini).

Iteere termed the changes as normal aimed at boosting security at the marked hotspots especially in Rift Valley ahead of the general election.

A number of new divisions were created following the bloody 2007/08 post poll violence that was witnessed in some parts of the country.

But even as the deployment was made, there are fears that they may do little in delivering because of lack of vehicles, houses and offices where they will operate from.

The government is yet to build the required offices and provided the officers with the vehicles and other equipment to enable them deliver services.

Internal security minister Katoo ole Metito says they plan to procure up to 1,000 vehicles yearly in a bid to bridge the gap of 4000 that are needed by both regular and Administration Police.

He added the government is committed in addressing the welfare of the officers by improving their salaries and allowances.