Police chiefs moved in major shuffle

The entire top leadership of the police force in Coast Province has been reshuffled and a new officer named to head the anti narcotics unit.

The changes affected all key officers involved in the fight against drug abuse at at time when a high profile investigation is already underway against politicians suspected to drive the illicit trade.

Coast Provincial Police Officer has swapped places with his North Eastern counterpart Mr Aggrey Adoli. The province is seen as a major gateway of drugs into the country.

The Coast Provincial Criminal Investigation Officer Nyaga Reche moves to Rift Valley in the same capacity and has been replaced by Mr Ambrose Osea Munyasia who was the deputy Criminal Investigation Officer Rift Valley.

The changes follow a recent presidential directive that the police fight against drugs be stepped up following a report by the US ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger that key politicians and government officials were involved in the illicit business.

Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti later named, in parliament, politicians implicated in the drugs affair as the assistant minister for trade John Haroun Mwau, and MPs William Kabogo (Juja), Ali Hassan Joho (Kisauni), and Gideon Mbuvi Kioko alias Mike Sonko (Makadara). Mr Kabogo then claimed in parliament that Prof Saitoti had left out the names of parliamentary colleagues Eugene Wamalwa (Saboti) and Simon Mbugua (Kamukunji).

Mr Mwau has since temporarily stepped out of office to allow for investigations.

New Leaders

The Kenya Police arms at the forefront of the anti-narcotics fight include the Anti-Narcotics Unit, the Special Crime Unit and the Serious Crime Unit. All got new leaders in the changes by Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere.

The head of the Special Crime Unit Mr Richard Katola has been moved to Eastern Province as the Deputy Criminal Investigation Officer. He has been replaced by Mr John Mwaka Koki SSP who was based at NCTC.

The deputy head of Special Crime Unit is Mr Noah Lamu Katumo who has been transferred from ‘B’ Company at the GSU. NCTC shall now be headed by Ms Judith Odhiambo (SSP) who previously headed the Anti Narcotics Unit.

The Anti Narcotics Unit shall now be headed by an assistant commissioner of police, Mr Sebastian Njiru Ndaru, who has been moved from Complaints section at the CID headquarters. Eastern Deputy PCIO Mr Moses Soita Ndidi ACP will deputise Mr Ndaru at the Anti Narcotics.

Mr Henry Owila Ondiek has been moved from Rift Valley to Central Province where he replaces Mr Scavier Archie Mbogo who has been moved to become In-charge, Complaints at the CID headquarters.

Ports

Ruth Muinde has moved from the Dog Unit to head ANU at the JKIA while the Coast Anti Narcotics unit shall now be headed Mr Festus Malinge SSP. Mr Malinge was in charge of personnel at the Rift Valley Province.

The DCIO Tigania Mr Vincent Egesa ha sbeen transferred to ANU Kilindini as the head while Magaret Karanja of Nairobi Area CID operations moves to Eldoret Airport as the head of Anti Narcotics.

The head of ANU at Moi International airport is Mr Daniel Kimulwo who has been moved from DCIO Mumias.

Central Deputy PCIO Mr Sebson Rashid Wandera (ACP) has been transferred to Rift Valley in the same capacity. Mr John Nyanzwii (SSP) has been posted from CID Nairobi Area to head serious crime at the CID headquarters.