How IG Kanja has been captured by NPSC feud, succession fights

The clock is ticking for Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja. Once heralded as a reformer, the country’s top police chief now finds himself under siege — entangled in a bitter war of attrition with the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), while facing growing public pressure over alleged abuses.

At the same time, a fierce succession battle is emerging between his two deputies, Eliud Lagat and Gilbert Masengeli, as  political actors quietly position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Lawyer Peter Wena, who has previously represented Kenyans in high-profile litigation against the British government over colonial-era torture, offered a blunt assessment of the unfolding power struggle.

“History shows that when the succession battle begins before the occupant has even left office, that occupant is already dead politically,” Wena said. “Kanja’s deputies are not waiting for his term to end; they are actively campaigning for his job while he is still in office. That tells you everything about the confidence they have in his survival.”

Kanja’s tenure has been defined by a prolonged power struggle with the NPSC, which has paralysed key human resource functions within the National Police Service.

A confidential report submitted to President William Ruto warns that the dispute could undermine national security, noting that it “has the potential to adversely affect career progression, succession planning and leadership continuity within the service” by delaying the filling of vacancies arising from retirement, death or resignation.

It further warns that the suspension of promotions could result in “prolonged vacancies at critical command levels with attendant implications for operational efficiency, command effectiveness and national security.”

The dispute over the Sh60 billion police payroll has stalled promotions, leaving officers in limbo and eroding morale. Although an Employment and Labour Relations Court ruling granted the Inspector-General exclusive authority over promotions and dismissals, the Court of Appeal suspended the decision in February 2026 pending determination of an appeal.

The 90-day suspension lapsed on May 27 without the appeal being heard, creating what insiders describe as an institutional vacuum.

A crisis meeting convened by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki at his Karen residence on June 18 failed to break the deadlock. After five hours of talks, the meeting ended without agreement on withdrawing the pending appeal. The NPSC has not convened since October last year, deepening the paralysis.

The standoff has also drawn parliamentary scrutiny, with MPs reportedly urging Kanja to surrender payroll control to the commission.

Kanja’s tenure has also been dogged by allegations of systemic police violence. On June 25, marking the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z protests, Nairobi was paralysed as police erected unannounced roadblocks across the city.

Rights group Katiba Institute filed a contempt application against the IG, accusing the police of violating a 2025 court order requiring prior public notice before disrupting traffic. The group argued that the sudden barricades endangered lives by obstructing emergency services, including ambulances.

Earlier, Kanja faced criticism over the police response to demonstrations marking the same anniversary, during which 60 young people were reported killed. A widely circulated video also showed officers arresting and roughly handling a physically disabled man in Nakuru. In response, Kanja ordered the Internal Affairs Unit to investigate, condemning what he termed unprofessional conduct.

The internal crisis has exposed growing fractures within the police leadership, with both deputies now seen as positioning themselves for succession.

Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat is understood to be in a quiet succession contest with his counterpart, DIG Gilbert Masengeli. Both were appointed on July 25, 2024, and are widely viewed as potential successors.

Wena noted that no Deputy Inspector General has ever directly succeeded an Inspector General since the position was created.

“Since the position was created, no DIG has risen to become Inspector-General of Police, except Douglas Kanja. The rest did not make it to the top,” he said.
The DIG post was established under the 2010 Constitution and the National Police Service Act, which merged the Kenya Police and Administration Police into a single National Police Service.

The first DIGs appointed in January 2013 were Grace Kaindi and Samuel Arachi. Kaindi later exited amid controversy linked to a multi-billion-shilling police equipment tender.

Subsequent deputies have also had turbulent exits. Joel Kitili and Samuel Arachi were dropped in January 2018, while Noor Gabow was redeployed in 2024. Only Edward Mbugua served through to retirement.

Masengeli’s own tenure as acting Inspector-General before Kanja’s confirmation was marked by controversy, including defying court orders over enforced disappearance cases in Kitengela and the escape of Kware murder suspect Collins Jumaisi from Gigiri Police Station.

Now, both deputies are openly viewed as contenders for the top seat.

Wena added: “When the people you command are more focused on your departure than your leadership, you have already lost the war. The question is not whether Kanja will leave — it is how and when. The succession battle is a symptom of a police service that has lost faith in its commander.”
As the battle lines harden, Kanja faces pressure on multiple fronts: a paralysed police service unable to promote officers or fill vacancies, rising public anger over alleged brutality and disappearances, ambitious deputies circling his position, and political calculations reportedly underway regarding his future.

A confidential report warns that the prolonged dispute risks undermining operational efficiency, command effectiveness and national security.

For now, the Inspector-General remains in office — but the succession race is gathering pace.