President Ruto nominates Japhet Koome as Police IG

 Inspector General of Police nominee Japhet Koome. [File, Standard]

President William Ruto has nominated Eng Japhet Koome Nchebere to the position of Inspector General of Police (IG).

Ruto, while naming his cabinet, had promised to reveal his nominee for the position after Hillary Mutyambai proceeded on terminal leave due to health issues.

Koome is a former Nairobi County Police Commander and was serving as the Commandant of the National Police Service College in Kiganjo.

Koome had previously served at the police headquarters (2018), where he was the principal deputy to the Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police, Edward Mbugua.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow has been the acting IG after Mutyambai picked him to perform his duties. He made the announcement on August 26, after revealing that he would be away on sick leave.

"This is to inform the general public that I will be away from the office attending to a medical check-up effective today. In my absence, Noor Gabow, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Administration, will act as the IG of the National Police Service until my return," he said in a statement.

Mutyambai collapsed in his Karen home on Thursday night, August 25 and he was immediately taken to a high-end private hospital for treatment.

After 10 days in hospital he was discharged on September 4, and it was announced that he would be recuperating from his Karen home.