Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome has resigned.
Pressure has been piling for Koome to resign following insurgence of police brutality during protests that recently rocked the country.
President William Ruto announced IG Koome resignation on Friday and appointed Deputy Inspector General Douglas Kanja, who is in charge of the Kenya Police. He takes over in an acting capacity.
When President Ruto took office, he named Koome as the new Inspector General of Police, Koome took over from Hillary Mutyambai.
The recent Gen-Z protests hanged Koome’s performance in the balance following police brutality meted on unarmed youthful protesters.
The Gen-Z, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) political leaders and human rights defenders called for accountability.
The President also ordered the re-deployment of Noor Gabow, the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Administration Police.
During the Gen-Z protests, over 40 people died of gun shots and over 350 sustained serious injuries.
The police inhumanity ignited widespread condemnation with Kenyans demanding an overhaul of the entire police service.
President Ruto also appointed the General Service Unit (GSU) Commandant Eliud Lagat, to be the acting Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Kenya Police, James Kamau named the acting Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Administration Police.
Ranson Lolmodooni was named the new GSU Commandant while William Yiampoy who was serving as the Presidential Escort Commander now heads operations at Police Headquarters.
The President also appointed Kainga Mathiu as the Commandant of the National Police Leadership Academy.
