NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct, 21- Two days after the Acting Inspector General of police Noor Gabow announced several changes to the hierarchy of the National Police Service (NPS), a last-minute shocking change has left many questioning the new directive.
Former head of the Investigations Bureau at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) John Gachomo has seen his appointment as the head of the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) rescinded in unclear circumstances.
His appointment was revoked on Friday.
Gachomo was slated to take over from new DCI Boss Mohammed Amin who headed the IAU.
Amin was credited was reforming investigating procedures against police officers incriminated or accused in several offenses.
Sources have revealed to Shahidi News that Gachomo was all but set to assume his new role before being called to Jogoo House for redeployment.
Amid the changes, IAU Deputy Director Esther Ng’anga will lead the unit in a an acting capacity until a substantive appointment is made.
Ng’anga is a commissioner of police and also a lawyer.
Disbandment of SSU
The IAU was expected to spearhead investigations against several detectives who were part of the disbanded Special Service Unit (SSU).
IAU is probing cases of extra judicial killings, abductions, and even torture allegedly committed by police.
21 officers from the unit have been questioned on the activities and most recently the suspected abduction of two Indian nationals and their Keyan taxi driver.
Sources revealed that 10 officers have been grilled so far while others are expected to be probed at the IAU offices on Friday.
Those summoned include two Chief Inspectors, an inspector, three sergeants, nine corporals and five constables.
The officers were stripped of their issued firearms.
Changes Made Within Police Service
Nicholas Kamwende was on Wednesday appointed Deputy Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations
The changes were made by the Acting Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow.
Kamwende was named the Deputy Director of DCI, hours after Amin Mohamed was sworn in as the DCI chief.
“The Ag. Inspector General Mr. Noor Y. Gabow, CBS, OGW has effected the following changes at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations with immediate effect. These changes are in line with ongoing police reforms and are aimed at streamlining services; enhancing effectiveness, efficiency, and professionalism in service delivery by the National Police Service,” reads a statement by the National Police Service.
In other changes, Eliud Kipkoech Lagat AIG is the new Director Investigations Bureau (IB), Johnstone Kola CP is the new Director of ATPU and Martin Otieno Omumbo CP deployed to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations whereas Paul Mumo has been deployed to the Kenya Police Headquarters, Vigilance House Nairobi.
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