Drama as Grace Kaindi refuses to leave office

What you need to know:

  • Outgoing deputy IG insists she has not been given a dismissal letter.
  • Earlier in the day, Mr Kitili also went to Vigilance House but only remained in Ms Kaindi’s principal deputy’s office.

Outgoing Deputy Inspector-General of Police Grace Kaindi on Thursday remained in office and vowed not to leave until she is given a dismissal letter.

There was anxiety on Thursday night at Vigilance House, the headquarters of the Kenya Police Service, when Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet and General Service Unit commandant Joel Mboya Kitili stormed the building and headed straight to Ms Kaindi’s office.

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Kitili also went to Vigilance House but only remained in Ms Kaindi’s principal deputy’s office.

Another senior government official also visited the building and held a meeting with Ms Kaindi. However, details of what transpired during and after the meeting remained scanty.

Shortly before 8pm, both Mr Boinnet and Mr Kitili drove away from Vigilance House in a convoy.

Ms Kaindi has insisted on being issued with a dismissal letter and one reappointing her to her new position before leaving the office. It turned out that two days after she was removed from the office, she had not been issued with a letter.

National Police Service Commission chairman Johnston Kavuludi is expected to present the letter to the outgoing police boss. The commission has, however, not deliberated on the matter.

The team was expected to meet Ms Kaindi at Vigilance at 7am on Friday.

On Friday morning, all officers were directed not to park their vehicles at the main parking lot at Vigilance House.

Vehicles assigned to Ms Kaindi were seen at the parking lot, with sources indicating that three drivers were ordered to surrender car keys on Thursday night.

Ms Kaindi was removed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and appointed an ambassador. The President then appointed Mr Kitili in an acting capacity