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New police chiefs sworn in a day after interviews

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From left, George Kinoti, Noor Gabow and Edward Njoroge Mbugua during their swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court on January 19, 2018. PHOTO | NMG

Barely 24 hours after they were interviewed for competence, new police chiefs have been sworn into office.

Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Amadi administered the oaths of office in the presence of Chief Justice David Maraga.

President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed them through a Kenya Gazette notice dated Friday.

They are deputy inspectors-general Noor Gabow (Administration Police) and Edward Mbugua (Kenya Police) as well as Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti.

They have been holding office in an acting capacity since January 5.

Justice Maraga told the new commanders to spearhead police reforms and ensure they are guided by the Constitution.

READ: Uhuru unveils Cabinet featuring old and new faces

Seasoned officers

He said: “You have a big challenge ahead of you. You are seasoned officers and so Kenyans can be assured of going on with their businesses that they are safe and their property will be protected.”

The CJ went on: “We must put an end to the nightmare in Kenya, the road carnage. The death toll on our roads is too high. And also there are other crimes that need to be addressed.”

The law says the National Police Service Commission must recommend to the President, officers to take the positions within 14 days after the office falls vacant.

The period elapsed at midnight since President Kenyatta sent the previous office holders to the Public Service Commission for redeployment.

NPSC chairman said they recommended the new police chiefs after a “competitive recruitment spanning eight days.”

He told them: “You earned your appointment. I will be looking forward to work with you when you join NPSC as commissioners.”

Police chiefs also sit at the commission as required by law.

Great responsibility

Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet also said: “It is a task that requires great responsibility and I’m looking forward to work with you in running the service.”

During interviews, Mr Kinoti and Mr Mbugua had no competitors because there were no qualified challengers.

Ms Milka Murugi Cheptinga, who had applied to be DCI, was not listed for interviews.

Other applicants were Bernard Nguma David and Bernard Ombati.

Mr Gabow faced competition from Musa Dhadho and Vincent Makokha.

The interviews took place at NPSC headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday.

“The Kenya Police Service and the Administration Police Service shall each be headed by a Deputy Inspector-General appointed by the President in accordance with the recommendation of the National Police Service Commission,” the Constitution says.

The NPS Act further says: “The President may remove, retire or redeploy a Deputy Inspector-General at any time before the Deputy-Inspector General attains the age of retirement.”

In filling the positions, the commission was looking for serving police officers with more than 15 years of service for the DIGs positions.