The Senate has approved the nomination of Douglas Kanja Kirocho as the Inspector General of the National Police Service. The approval follows a report presented by the Joint Committee of the National Assembly's Administration and Internal Security and the Senate's Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations.

The report was tabled by the Chairman of the Senate National Security Committee, Sen William Cheptumo (Baringo) and seconded by Sen Danson Mungatana (Tana River).

During the debate on the Motion, several lawmakers, including Majority Leader Sen Aaron Cheruiyot, Sen Enoch Wambua (Kitui), Sen Mohammed Chute (Marsabit), Sen Crystal Asige, Sen Seki Lenku (Kajiado), Sen Richard Onyonka (Kisii) and Sen Joseph Githuku (Lamu), emphasised the need for Kanja to serve Kenyans with professionalism. They urged him to address pressing challenges within the police service, such as officers' welfare, lack of security vehicles, corruption, particularly at unnecessary roadblocks and conflicts of interest.

Other Senators who contributed to the Motion were Sen John Kinyua (Laikipia), Sen Catherine Mumma, Sen Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri), Sen Okong'o Mogeni (Nyamira) and Sen Samson Cherarkey (Nandi).

The Joint Committee received a total of 30 memoranda from the public on the suitability of the nominee.

Out of the 30 memoranda received, 23 were in support of the approval of the nominee from the public. However, the same did not comply with section 6(9) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, (Cap. 7F), as they were statements on oath but were not statements contesting the suitability of a nominee.

Only 2 memoranda contesting the approval of the nominee complied with section 6 (9) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, (Cap. 7F).

A further 2 memoranda contesting the approval of the nominee did not comply with section 6 (9) of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, (Cap. 7F) as they were not statements on oath.

The Committee also received memoranda that were neither supporting nor contesting the suitability of the nominee from Captain Brown Amani, Jacques Ojwang Okoth and Wolde Doyo Fanje (Junior Officer, National police Service).

"The Committees, having considered the suitability, competence, experience, and integrity of Mr. Douglas Kanja Kirocho, CBS, OGW, following the approval process and taking into account its observations and findings, and pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution, the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Cap. 7F), the National Police Service Act (Cap. 84), the National Assembly Standing Orders, and the Senate Standing Orders, recommend that Parliament approve the nomination of Mr. Douglas Kanja Kirocho, CBS, OGW, for appointment as the Inspector-General of the National Police Service," the report stated.

With Parliament's adoption of the report, Kanja is now set for appointment by President William Ruto as the next Inspector-General of the National Police Service.