'Protect police from intimidation and blackmail!' President Ruto tells new IG Kanja

President William Ruto has urged newly installed Inspector General Douglas Kanja to protect the independence of the National Police Service (NPS) from any interference by external forces.

Speaking during the official investiture of Kanja to the rank of Police IG at State House, Nairobi on Thursday, President Ruto underscored the importance of the police service as an institution mandated to maintain law and order in the country.

He bestowed upon IG Kanja the responsibility to protect the institution’s independence at any cost from what he termed as “intimidation, manipulation and blackmail.”

The President appealed to the police boss to ensure that every citizen abides by the Constitution and the rule of law, reiterating that all Kenyans are equal.

“As you take over as IG, it behooves you to protect the police service as an independent institution in the service of the people of Kenya, making sure all citizens are treated equally before the law,” he stated.

“You have the responsibility as the Commander to protect the NPS from any manner of manipulation, intimidation or blackmail from whatever quota and to ensure that all of us respect the laws of the land, abide by the rules set without status or any form of entitlement. All of us are equal before the law.”

President Ruto at the same time expressed his confidence in Kanja’s capacity to transform the police service, noting that the government would continue to support institutions in adherence to the law.

“I have faith and I believe in the capabilities of Mr Kanja to provide leadership to the men and women in the police service,” he said.

“We will continue to ensure that all our independent constitutional offices are protected from any manipulation, intimidation or coercion.”

The remarks by the Head of State come on the backdrop of a seeming bad blood between the Judiciary and the police service following the sudden withdrawal of Justice Lawrence Mugambi's security detail, days after sentencing former acting IG Gilbert Masengeli to prison.

Masengeli, who now returns to his position as Deputy IG in charge of Administration Police, risks jail term after his attempt to challenge the conviction suffered a setback on Thursday..

On Wednesday President Ruto weighed on the ongoing supremacy war between the two institutions calling for a collaborating approach in tackling issues affecting the country.

He told the parties to seek an approach which would promote cohesion between the two independent institutions as they serve Kenyans.