The National Police Service Commission will conduct interviews for the position of Director General of Criminal Investigations. In a communique issued by the commission, names of 10 senior officers who made it to the final shortlist were made public today as the race to find the country’s next top detective enters the homestretch.
The list comprises senior seasoned detectives and forensic experts who have risen through the ranks and served the nation in various capacities in the security sector. Top among them is former Nairobi regional DCI Chief Mr Ireri Kamwende, who is the current Director of Planning at DCI headquarters. Before his current posting, he was the Director of Forensics services and has had stints at the Anti-Narcotics & Banking Fraud Units.
Mr Eliud Lagat the current Director of Reforms at DCI headquarters is also among those shortlisted. Mr Lagat is an explosive and post-blasts expert who headed the forensic Bomb disposal unit before his current posting. He is also an alma mater of the esteemed National Defence College of Kenya. Dr Mwangi Wanderi, the current head of DCI Railways command has also made it to the final list. Dr Wanderi who is a distinguished scholar was a long-serving Director of Personnel at DCI headquarters before his current posting and a top crime buster in the then Flying Squad unit during his heyday.
Also on the list is Mr Munga Nyale, currently the Principal Assistant to the Inspector General at the NPS headquarters. Mr Munga is also a former Director of DCI’s Anti-Terrorism Police Unit.
Mr Amin Ibrahim, the current head of the Internal Affairs Unit is also among those shortlisted to attend the interviews slated for Tuesday. Mr Amin has served in various capacities including heading the then CID Investigations Bureau, and Banking Fraud Investigations Unit among other senior management positions.
Others who have tossed their hats in the ring include Coast Regional Criminal Investigations officer Mr Walumoli Barasa, who previously served as the Central RCIO and in the elite Serious Crimes Unit, Mr Michael Wiso, a former head of Legal Services at DCI HQs, Mr David Birech, the head of Police Reforms, Mr Paul Ndambuki, who has previously served at INTERPOL HQs in Lyon France and the DCI Academy and Ms Esther Seroney, Bomet’s county police commander.
According to the commission which oversees the human resource management function of the National Police Service, a total of 253 applications for the position were received. The position fell vacant following the resignation of Mr George Kinoti, who has since been transferred to the Public Service Commission.