Like Koome before him, IG Kanja is a marked man

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

Two events within one week have signaled the tenure of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja could be in jeopardy because of growing public disillusionment over attacks by rogue police and goons.

After unrelenting criticism by opposition leaders accusing police of waging a campaign of State terror, civil society activists ratcheted up the pressure on Tuesday when they staged public protests outside the National Police Service (NPS) headquarters at Jogoo House in Nairobi.

The activists, who threw a mock coffin over the gate of Kanja's office, demanded his immediate resignation, citing unresolved police killings, abductions, enforced disappearances and police inaction on goon violence in political meetings, especially those organised by critics of government.

Yesterday, a church lobby group kept up the pressure Kanja, asking him to resign, citing rising cases of goon attacks and lawlessness in the lead up to next year’s elections.

On the same day, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua revisited the government inaction despite growing complaints of goon violence, claiming that Kanja was being set up by power figures in government to take the fall.

“As your neighbor and childhood friend, I wish to remind and inform you that you are being set up….for criminal charges at the International Criminal Court. You are the sacrificial lamb,” Mr Gachagua said, a day after fellow opposition leaders invited the ICC to closely monitor the situation in Kenya.

“You either take charge of the police service ahead of the 10th August 2027 General Election or resign,” the Democracy for Citizens Party leader said in a statement asking Kanja to guarantee his DCP meetings in Emurua Dikirr today would not be disrupted by rivals.

“You will recall General Mohamed Ali, the former commissioner of police, and his interaction with the ICC following the 2007/08 post-election chaos due to his sins of omission and commission,” Mr Gachagua said, referring to the ICC’s intervention in Kenya that saw six prominent individuals tried at The Hague. The ICC cases eventually collapsed.

The unrelenting pressure on Kanja, who turns 63 next month, comes two years into his four-year tenure.

It could be the greatest test yet for the police chief, a battle-hardened fighter whose first assignment as a constable in 1986 was deployment in banditry prone Lokichogio, Tot and Kapedo in the north rift.

Over the years, the man has risen through the ranks from a junior officer in the General Service Unit to heading the elite paramilitary unit as commandant between 2018 and 2023.

And while his endurance is not questionable- as GSU commandant he coordinated the 17-hour operation to tackle terrorists at Dusit D2 complex in January 2019- his survival at the helm of the police service is subject to other factors beyond his control.

His predecessor Japhet Koome left office on July 12, 2024, just short of two years in office, having taken over in November 2022.

Koome quit following similar heavy public criticism, paving the way for his successor, who then served as his deputy.

At the time, the country was faced with the anti-Finance Bill protests that saw nationwide demonstrations by Gen Z protestors who forced the government to shelve the bill and President William Ruto to dissolve his cabinet. At least 50 people died in the protests.

Under Kanja’s watch, dozens more have been killed in subsequent protests in 2025 and this year, as well as cases of enforced disappearances by persons believed to be police officers.

Kanja and Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss Mohammed Amin have had to appear in court over the disappearance of three Mathare activists, Macmillan Mugo, Evans Otieno and Michael Oloo.

Unresolved deaths in police custody have also sparked outrage. The Independent Medico Legal Unit (IMLU) documented 20 deaths in places of detention last year.

So far this year, IMLU has documented 20 deaths in police custody, “highlighting a concerning pattern that demands urgent systemic intervention.”

“These disturbing figures and forensic findings underscore a systemic crisis that demands urgent and decisive action,” IMLU said in a statement on August 14.

But IMLU has welcomed the recent directive by Kanja, ordering the immediate interdiction of officers on duty, including the Occurrence Book (O.B.) handler, the cell sentry, and the duty officer, whenever a suspect dies in police custody. “This decision marks a necessary and firm step toward curtailing custodial impunity, restoring public trust, and upholding the fundamental constitutional rights to life, human dignity, and protection from cruel or degrading treatment while in state custody,” IMLU stated.

Yesterday, the Church and Clergy Association of Kenya (CCAK) called on Kanja to take full responsibility and resign for failing to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.

In a press briefing in Nairobi, the umbrella body representing over 3,000 churches across the country raised concern about the trajectory that the country was taking with rising cases of attacks by goons.

CCAK national chairperson Bishop Hudson Ndeda said Kanja could not be trusted to ensure smooth elections, citing the activities of armed gangs during the recent Ol Kalou by-election.

“It is discouraging to see the police engage in barbaric acts by disrupting campaigns and involving themselves in partisan politics. The police under current IG are unable to end goons menace in the country and we ask for his resignation for a competent Kenyan to take over from him. This must stop as the police are the lifeline for the rule of law to prevail,” Bishop Ndeda said.

Yesterday, Nation reached out to Kanja, but he was yet to respond to multiple calls to his mobile phone and text messages.

The latest developments come as authorities are reportedly putting in place new security measures as the country heads to next year’s General Election.

The president on June 26 received a report that detailed conflict between police chiefs and the National Police Service Commission and how the power struggle could undermine Kanja’s ability to oversee adequate security preparations for elections.

The report warned that the protracted power struggle between Kanja and the Dr Yuda Komora-led commission that had affected recruitment, promotions and transfers could compromise national security.

“The prolonged dispute has the potential to adversely affect career progression, succession planning and leadership continuity within the service by delaying the filling of vacancies arising from retirement, death, resignation, incapacity or other forms of attrition with potential implications for operational effectiveness and command stability,” the report cautioned.

“Stay of promotion functions may result in prolonged vacancies at critical command levels with attendant implications for operational efficiency, command effectiveness and national security,” the report stated.

According to religious leaders, rogue police and militia were orchestrating violence, noting that numerous campaign meetings that were not disrupted by the police had ended peacefully.

At least two people, including a police officer, were killed last Sunday when gangs attacked Linda Mwananchi meetings in Homa Bay.

Scores of others, including eight officers, were seriously injured.

The religious leaders asked the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate police officers misusing their powers and bring them to book to discourage what is now appearing to be the trend.

They also called for an end to the early campaigns of hatred.

“The church has noted with concern that a section of leaders from the government and opposition have continued in their divisive speeches and dividing the country using tribalism. We condemn those actions in the strongest terms possible and ask Kenyans to remain one nation,” Bishop Ndeda said.

The clergy also said the attacks on journalists in Homa Bay and Ol Kalou were intentional and intended to cover up police excesses.

“Media has a duty to inform Kenyans and the violence meted on them in Homa Bay was clearly targeted at cover up. We urge Kenyans to support media in their endeavor to inform on what is happening around the country.”

The religious leaders also accused President Ruto’s government of attempting to weaken the church to cover up for State excesses.

Reporting originally appeared via Nation Africa. Read the full source for additional context.