President William Ruto makes significant adjustments to the national security .

The new administration has made significant changes to the national security agenda, including the departure of Inspector-General of Police Hilary Mutyambai and Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti, both of whom President William Ruto had condemned during the campaign.

Mr. Mutyambai will be succeeded by Mr. Japhet Koome Nchebere, current Commandant of the National Police College in Kiganjo and former Nairobi County police chief. The position of Mr. Kinoti will be advertised. 

Former Energy CS Monicah Juma has been nominated as National Security Advisor, while former Tharaka-Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki has been nominated as Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration.

If confirmed, Prof Kindiki’s in-tray will cover the volatile security situation in Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, and Elgeyo-Marakwet Counties, which are still experiencing waves of banditry attacks. President Ruto authorized the deployment of organized police units in the affected areas to ensure peace and security during his first Cabinet meeting yesterday. Initiatives for Peace According to a meeting brief, “the Cabinet additionally directed that the peace and security initiatives shall include integrate local communities and their leaders in cooperative peace initiatives aimed at addressing decades-old communal conflicts.” During yesterday’s Cabinet announcement, President Ruto stated that Mr Mutyambai had requested a six-month medical leave and that Mr Kinoti had quit for unspecified reasons.

“After consulting with Mr Mutyambai and taking into account his contribution to our nation and his health status, I have agreed that he proceed on terminal leave for the remaining six months of his contract.” Ruto names Mudavadi, Duale, Ababu, and others to cabinet “I have also received the resignation of… Mr Kinoti and I have communicated the same to the National Police Service to proceed with advertising that position and in the meanwhile they should get someone to act in Mr Kinoti’s place,” the President stated. The names will be presented to Parliament for approval or rejection.

The President is set to open the 13th Parliament’s sessions tomorrow with a joint address to both houses. “I am convinced that by working together, we will overcome all of the problems,” President Ruto remarked. The measures are considered as the culmination of the new administration’s pledge to revamp the security docket, which it alleged was being used to suppress campaigns and harass supporters during electioneering. At a rally in Kapkatet, Kericho, in July, President Ruto accused Mr Kinoti of interfering with the work of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in response to a letter he wrote to the commission detailing how three Venezuelans were apprehended with electoral materials at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

“Stop wasting your time writing long letters to us. Leave election affairs to the IEBC since you have no business organizing an election. As DCI, you failed. We don’t want you to let us down in this election. Stop bothering us and let IEBC do their job.

You are the subject of a criminal investigation, yet you have never done anything wrong. “Wait until August to go home,” President Ruto advised. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ordered all detectives posted to government buildings to quit and return to their headquarters on Kiambu Road shortly after their inauguration. ‘Toxic surroundings’ “We have instructed the DCI to return to Kiambu Road and wait for crimes to be reported there.

” They have no business loitering around government buildings, creating a toxic environment for service delivery,” Mr Gachagua stated on the first day of the newly elected governors’ induction in Mombasa County. Earlier, President Ruto slammed Mr Mutyambai, calling him the “most incompetent” police inspector general in the world. The comments irritated Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, who accused President Ruto of being resentful about failed commercial ventures with Mr Mutyambai. “The only problem with Mutyambai is that he declined to buy police boots for Sh13,000 that Ruto’s pals were selling.” Mutyambai agreed to purchase the footwear for Sh2,900.

. “He also refused to acquire bulletproof vests for $900 from your (Ruto’s) pals and instead purchased them directly from manufacturers.” That is the frustration that drives you to trash our Inspector-General of Police,” Dr Matiang’i stated at the time. A verbal brawl During the campaign, Dr Matiang’i and Dr Ruto were embroiled in a verbal spat with close associates of the President, who accused the CS of usurping his then-role as Deputy President following his appointment as chairperson of the National Development Implementation and Communication Committee by executive order.