Kenya: Dossier warns President Ruto of national security threat from police leadership conflict
via Tuko3 min read
A confidential report sent to President William Ruto indicates that a power struggle between Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja and the National Police Service Commission NPSC, led by Dr. Yuda Komora, poses a national security risk ahead of the 2027 General Election. This conflict has halted police promotions and the filling of critical vacancies, impacting operational effectiveness and command stability. The dispute also involves control over the 60 billion KSh police payroll. A crisis meeting on June 18, 2026, chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, failed to resolve the impasse. The conflict stems from overlapping mandates, with the Employment and Labour Relations Court initially granting the IG exclusive power over promotions and dismissals. However, the Law Society of Kenya, supported by the NPSC and IPOA, successfully petitioned the Court of Appeal to suspend this ruling. The Court of Appeal has yet to form a bench to hear the case, bypassing a 90-day resolution window that ended on May 27. The Technical Working Group recommends the Attorney General advise on navigating conflicting acts while awaiting a judicial ruling. Separately, recent disappearances of activists have raised fears of state repression, with families searching for loved ones who vanished after protests. President William Ruto also criticized opposition leaders during a tour of Meru County, calling them "stupid" and predicting an early defeat for them in the 2027 General Election.
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