Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome resigns

Japhet Koome when he took an oath of office at the Judiciary buildings. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has resigned.

President William Ruto approved Koome's resignation and appointed Deputy Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja in an Acting capacity.

"President William Ruto, on July 12, 2024, accepted the resignation of Japhet Koome as the Inspector General of the National Police Service," read a statement by State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed.

While the reasons for Koome's resignation are unclear, he has faced growing criticism for his words and actions, with increasing calls for his resignation.

Earlier today, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) joined other political actors and human rights organisations in urging President Ruto to dismiss Koome and Bungei over alleged cases of police brutality, abductions, and killings of protesters.

"Ruto must immediately fire the IG of Police, the Nairobi Police Commander, and apprehend all police officers implicated in the murders of over 200 innocent Kenyans in peaceful protests since last year," ODM said in an official statement on Friday, July 12.

Koome has served as the IG of Police for close to two years, having been sworn in in November 2022.

As the Acting Inspector General, Kanja will hold office until Parliament nominates and approves Koome's replacement.

He will be deputised by Eliud Langat as the acting Deputy IG of the Kenya Police Service and James Kamau as the acting Deputy IG of the Administration Police.