In a major move within the Kenyan public service, President William Ruto has announced the redeployment of Noor Gabow, the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service.
As per the statement from State House Spokesman Hussein Mohamed, President Ruto has appointed James Kamau to serve as the acting Deputy Inspector General in Gabow’s stead.
The changes were made on the recommendation of the National Police Service Commission, in accordance with Section 13 of the National Police Service Act.
The statement cites Section 17 of the same Act as the legal basis for Gabow’s redeployment within the public service.
Gabow had been serving in a crucial role, leading the ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu against bandits in six counties in the North Rift region.
He was also the head of the Kenyan reconnaissance team that toured Haiti ahead of the deployment of the first contingent of 400 Kenyan police officers to the Caribbean country.
The shakeup in police leadership comes just a year after former Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai proceeded on sick leave, with Gabow temporarily taking over as the acting Inspector General.
Mutyambai later opted for terminal leave until his retirement, paving the way for the appointment of Japheth Koome as the new Inspector General, which was approved by Parliament.
However, the current announcement indicates that Koome has now tendered his resignation, which has been accepted by President Ruto. In the interim, the President has designated Douglas Kanja, the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, as the acting Inspector General of the National Police Service.
This significant reshuffle at the top echelons of the Kenyan police service is expected to have widespread implications for the leadership and direction of the national law enforcement agency.
