The National Police Service has today announced that Noor Gabow will be the acting Inspector General of police. Mr Gabow will hold the post until a substantive Inspector General is appointed according to the law. This comes after the President granted Hillary Mutyambai a terminal leave.

Mr Noor Gabow had until his appointment as acting IG been the Deputy Inspector General and had at one time acted on behalf of his boss Hillary Mutyambai when he was taken ill in the heat of the general elections in August.

President William Ruto had earlier on appointed Japheth Koome to the role on the day he was announcing his nominations to the cabinet. However, the decision was faced by headwinds when a petitioner took Dr Ruto and Attorney General Paul Kihara to court over the unprocedural appointment.

Dr Magare Gikenyi, a Consultant Trauma and General Surgeon, faulted the president’s nomination of Mr Koome, arguing that its only the National Police Service commission (NPSC)  that had the mandate to nominate an Inspector General.

Sections 12 of the National Police Act, which gives a procedure on how IG is recruited/appointed, and Article 245 of the Constitution. The Act states that whenever a vacancy arises in the office of the Inspector-General, the Commission should within 14 days by notice in the Gazette and at least two other daily newspapers of national circulation, declare the vacancy and request for applications.