Kenya's police bosses jostle for vacant seats

• Behind-the-scenes lobbying for the powerful GSU chief’s job going on

The removal of Maj-Gen Hussein Ali as police chief has sparked intense lobbying for senior posts in the force.

The powerful office of the General Service Unit (GSU) commandant fell vacant following the elevation of Mr Mathew Iteere to the police chief’s post.

Eastern Province police commander Marcus Ochola has emerged as a powerful contender for the job.

GSU deputy commandant Boniface Maingi and presidential escort head Benson Kibui have also been mentioned as front runners for the job, expected to be filled next week.

The Saturday Nation has, however, learnt that behind-the-scenes political intrigues are in top gear and the outcome will reflect a compromise between ODM and PNU.

Other vacant posts include that of North Eastern provincial police officer which, until the new changes, was held by Mr Jonathan Koskei, who tasked to be in charge of reforms in the force.

Deputy PPOs Larry Kieng (Nyanza) and Gideon Amalla (Central) are also being mentioned as contenders.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Iteere is set to make his first reshuffle that is expected to create more ripples in the police ranks.

He is expected to name a new head in Nairobi and another for the Police Staff College at Loresho. Mr Francis Muhoro is among those being mentioned.

Mr Iteere is scheduled to meet all provincial commanders on Monday and division commanders the following day.

The new police boss was sworn in on Wednesday and has held one-on-one meetings with all senior officers at the Vigilance House headquarters.

Post-master general

Maj-Gen Ali was removed by President Kibaki together with his deputy, Mr Lawrence Mwadime. They were named postmaster-general and deputy secretary in the Livestock ministry, respectively.

Mr Francis Okonya, a career detective, was brought from CID to replace Mr Mwadime.

The changes, a culmination of consultative meetings between the President and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, are part of reforms being carried out in the office.

A team of experts, led by retired judge Philip Ransley, is preparing a final blueprint on the reforms, expected to be ready after September 30.

Mr Ransley’s interim report, released last month, recommended Maj-Gen Ali’s removal from office, and is widely believed to have prompted the police boss’s exit.