NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct, 21 -He served as the commissioner of the police between 1996 and 1998 when many say he steered a number of reforms in the then Kenya police force.
President Kenyatta condoled the death of Wachira who passed on on October 21 at his Nairobi home.
In his message of comfort, the President remembered the former police boss as a true servant of the nation and a patriot who was committed to the wellbeing of the country.
“I have known Duncan Wachira as a man of great insight and unique qualities. During his time as the head of our police service, Mr Wachira pioneered reforms that improved the welfare of our men and women in uniform.
“Mr Wachira is also remembered for his no-nonsense approach to the fight against crime especially in Nairobi. It is during his time as the top cop, I remember, that many organised criminal syndicates were dismantled,” the President eulogised.
Uhuru said Mr Wachira’s virtues of hard work and dedication to duty will remain an inspiration to many young Kenyans especially those serving the country in the disciplined forces.
Former president Mwai Kibaki too mourned the death saying he woke up to the sad news of the demise of former police boss.
He said the late Wachira will be remembered for scuttling the notorious criminal enterprise of the 1990s that featured some of Kenya’s most infamous gangsters of all time.
“His tenure as Police Chief witnessed some of the most deplorable events in Kenya’s history, including the audacious 1998 US Embassy bombing, yet Wachira, somehow, still managed to command his troops to inspire public confidence.”
Inspector General of police Hilary Mutyambai too mourned the death of Wachira saying he steered changes in the then police force.
Wachira had last year suffered a heart attack and later flown to India for treatment. He has since then been in and out of hospital. He retired after the 1998 bomb blast at the US embassy in Nairobi, which claimed over 200 lives and left thousands with injuries.
During his leadership many people were displaced and killed especially in the 1997 Likoni clashes. Officials said about 100 people were killed in the clashes affecting tourism in the coast.
Former police bosses
FD Tyssen -1922-1925
RCA Cavandish- 1931-1941
WMG Sandwith- 1943-1947
CH Ward- 1947-1949
DDM Mc Goun 1949-1954
RC Catling- 1954-1964
Bernard Hinga 1964-1978
Ben Gethi- 1978-1982
Bernard Njinu- 1982-1988
Philip Kilonzo- 1988-1993
Shadrack Kiruki- 1993-1996
Duncan Wachira- 1996-1998
Philemon Abongo- 1998-2002
Edwin Nyaseda- 2002-2003
Maj-Gen Hussein Ali- 2003-2009
Mathew Iteere- 2009-2012
Inspector General of Police
David Kimaiyo- 2012-2014
Joseph Boinnet- 2014-2018
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