IG Kanja, DCI boss Amin face exit in looming security shake-up

Highly placed sources within the security docket indicate that time could be running out for both Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kirocho Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin Ibrahim, who are past the mandatory retirement age and have been serving on contract extensions.

In July 2024, Amin and then Deputy Inspector-General Kanja, prior to his promotion to replace Japheth Koome as IG, were each awarded two-year contracts after attaining the age of 60.

For the DCI boss, Amin, sources say his contract lapses in April, with reports of intense lobbying by potential successors signalling that he is unlikely to secure another extension after receiving one in 2024.

Douglas Kanja, who was sworn into office in September 2024 as the substantive police chief following Koome’s dramatic resignation during the bloody Gen Z–led protests, has a constitutional tenure of four years. This means his term runs until September 2028, should he serve a full term.

Nonetheless, credible sources say powerful forces within the Interior Ministry are keen to elbow him out in favour of his two deputies, Administration Police Commandant Gilbert Masengeli and Kenya Police Service Commandant Eliud Lagat.

The duo, who are viewed as frontrunners in the succession plan, are both serving under clouds of dented public credibility. Masengeli was convicted after repeatedly defying court orders while serving as acting IG, while Lagat is dogged by the dark cloud surrounding the death of Albert Ojwang in police custody, with the slain teacher’s arrest reportedly linked to a complaint by Lagat over a social media post.

Even with security of tenure, the office of Inspector-General of Police often becomes untenable once the holder falls out with the powers that be. This was the case for David Kimaiyo, Hillary Mutyambai and Japheth Koome, all of whom were pushed out by Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto under the guise of resignations.

When Nation Media Group contacted IG Kanja over reports that he could be forced out of office, he responded: “No comment.”

DCI director Mohamed Amin’s predecessor, George Kinoti, was also forced out shortly after the Kenya Kwanza administration took office.

In light of indications from our sources pointing to a push for changes from the Interior Ministry, NTV reached out to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who did not respond.