Tough task ahead for police boss nominee Joseph Boinett

President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulates his nominee for the post of Inspector-General of Police, Mr Joseph Boinett, at State House, Nairobi, on December 31, 2014. With them is Principal Secretary Nancy Juma and the outgoing IG, Mr David Kimaiyo. PHOTO | PSCU 

In Summary

• Joseph Boinett, who hails from the same county as his predecessor, was picked from NIS.
• Among the assignments new IG will have to tackle is streamlining operations of various security arms.

By ZADOCK ANGIRA
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President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday invoked powers acquired under the new security laws to nominate a new police boss.

Mr Joseph Kipchirchir Boinett, 52, was tapped from the National Intelligence Service where he is a Principal Intelligence Officer.

He hails, significantly, from the same Elgeyo Marakwet county as outgoing Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo.

The latter has been appointed chairman of Kenya Airports Authority, replacing Prof Mutuma Mugambi.

The main challenge Mr Boinett will face will be how to contain the insecurity that led the public to call for Mr Kimaiyo’s resignation.

He is also expected to harmonise operations of different security organs which have parallel reporting structures.

Additionally, he will also be expected to streamline the working relationship between the police and intelligence officers.

In the past, police have complained that information passed on to them by intelligence was very general and sometimes arrived too late.

Also in his in-tray will be how to rehabilitate the image of the force among the public who perceive the service to be a bastion of corruption.

While announcing the nomination, President Kenyatta also appointed the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of the Administration Police, Mr Samwel Mwongera Arachi, to act as Inspector-General until Parliament vets and approves Mr Boinett.

BOWED TO PRESSURE

Mr Boinett’s nomination could be an indication that the President had bowed to pressure from North Rift leaders who had insisted that Mr Kimaiyo’s replacement must come from the same region which is the political bedrock of Deputy President William Ruto.

Mr Boinett was attached to the Analysis and Production division, one of the seven divisions of NIS.

In terms of ranking, he was in the fourth rank from the director-general. The other senior positions are directors and assistant directors. Most officers in the rank of Principal Intelligence Officer are county heads.

Other sections within the NIS are Administration, Information Technology, Internal Intelligence, External Intelligence, Operations and the National Intelligence Academy.

The nominee joined the police force in 1984 and left in 1998 as a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to join the Intelligence Service.

He holds two Master’s degrees, one in National Security Policy from the Australian National Security University, and another in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Westminister.

Besides, he also has a degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from Washington University and other qualifications in strategic, public management and leadership development.

Mr Arachi has been heading the security operation in Lamu where more than 70 people were killed in attacks last year.

However, he will now be based at Jogoo House. The Lamu assignment will be taken over by Senior Assistant Inspector John Ashimalla, who is the principal assistant to Deputy Inspector-General Grace Kaindi.

EXTENDED CURFEW

Soon after his appointment earlier this month, the Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and Coordination of the National Government, Mr Joseph Nkaissery, had extended the curfew in Lamu for another one month.

Mr Nkaissery was among top security officials at State House when Mr Kenyatta unveiled his nominee. Mr Kimaiyo was also present.

On Wednesday, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen thanked the President for nominating Mr Boinett.

“We had faith in the President and his deputy and that’s why despite all manner of unfounded accusations, I could not go shouting at the top of my voice to criticise the government that we are part of,” he said.

Mr Murkomen has been under pressure Keiyo Marakwet who accused him of pushing for Mr Kimaiyo’s ouster.

“The nomination is well-intentioned for the public considering academic credentials and experience in security matters,” said Mr Murkomen.