Top officers retired in security shake-up

A major shake-up of the security forces has been carried out with retirements in the military and a reshuffle of top police officers.

Several senior military officers were recommended for retirement, including former police commissioner, Maj-Gen Hussein Ali, in the latest deliberations of the National Defence Council last Wednesday.

Maj-Gen Ali, who was recently named Post Master General, and National Defence College director Maj-Gen J.P. Opiyo are among many senior military officers who are expected to retire.

In the police, Commissioner Mathew Iteere used his first reshuffle to name Mr William Saiya Atswenje as his replacement as the General Service Unit commandant.

Mr Iteere also named Mr Abdul Maka Mzee, previously the Chief Firearms Licensing Officer, as the new North Eastern Provincial Police Officer.

The former Director of Logistics, Mr Levin Kyule Mwandi, is now the Chief Firearms Licensing Officer.

Nyanza Provincial Police Officer Antony Kibuchi is the new Nairobi PPO while his predecessor is now the PPO Nyanza.

The changes affect five Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), two Senior Assistant Commissioners of Police and an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

In the military changes, several officers serving as colonels were promoted to Brigadier.

Maj-Gen Ali, seconded to the police since 2004 as a brigadier had been promoted while still serving in the police, but was this month named Post Master General and replaced by Mr Iteere.

Maj-Gen Opiyo had been appointed to head the National Defence College in July last year.

Two senior officers, Maj-Gen George Chaka and a Maj-Gen Waweru, were recommended for promotion.

The National Defence Council also referred to as Board Number One is the highest military decision-making body whose recommendations are ordinarily accepted.

Although details of the proposed changes are still scarce because President Mwai Kibaki has not endorsed the list of those recommended for retirement or promotion, the Vice Chief of General Staff, Lt Gen J.W. Karangi, is scheduled to retire this year according to military rules.

The meeting was held on Wednesday and chaired by the minister for Defence, Mr Yusuf Haji, at the Department of Defence headquarters.

Proposed changes

However, unlike during previous meeting when the President as the Commander-in-Chief signed the recommendations immediately, this time he did not.

Sources privy to the goings on but not authorised to talk to journalists claimed the Chief of General Staff, General Jeremiah Kianga, over the weekend travelled to Nyeri to see President Kibaki on the proposed changes.

The CGS boarded the police vehicle along with the President during the Nyeri ASK Show.

In the police force, Mr. Michael Rimi Ngugi is the new head of the Anti-Stock Theft Unit and will be deputised by Mr Solomon Makau. Mr Moses Ombati has been posted from Police headquarters and will be the deputy Nairobi PPO.

The appointments and changes are likely to be a litmus test for the Israeli trained GSU commando who has promised to change the perception of the police. However, this might prove difficult especially because he has not brought in fresh blood.

Mr Mwandi had been replaced by Mr Bakari Jambeni while Mr Mzee replaces Mr Jonathan Koskei who was appointed Senior Deputy Commissioner II in charge of Police Reforms.

Mr Iteere did not appoint a replacement for the Central PCIO, Mr John Maritim, who died after a road accident. The changes take effect from September 25.