George Kinoti’s replacement to be announced by Friday

By Friday, it might be known who would lead the Directorate of Criminal Investigation.

This comes after the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) on Tuesday conducted interviews and background checks on 10 individuals who had been shortlisted to fill the vacant position left by former DCI George Kinoti.

The acting DCI Hamisi Massa will have been in charge for 14 days on Friday while waiting for the selection of a permanent DCI chief.

After Kinoti left, Massa was appointed the interim DCI on September 30.

The police employer began interviewing the ten candidates who had been selected in a marathon competition at the Kenya School of Government, then he withdrew to analyze their performances and hand out awards before announcing the top three winners.

Commission chairman Eliud Kinuthia said the ten were suitable for the interviews and vetting.

“We will give a report by Friday which is the 14th day of the lapse of the period given,” Kinuthia said.

He said they had received various reports from Kenyans on the candidates which will be considered.

The sessions were done in closed doors for security reasons, Kinuthia revealed.

“We are dealing with security issues and this will remain closed doors. We will make the report public,” he said.

The candidates are all seasoned officers who have risen through the ranks to their current positions.

Thy include director of Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) Mohamed Amin, Coast head of DCI Bernard Barasa, director of reforms at the DCI Eliud Lagat, the principal assistant to the Inspector General of police Munga Nyale and Bomet County police commander Esther Seroney.

Others are director of reforms at police headquarters David Birech, head of investigations at Insurance Fraud, Michael Jonyo Wiso, director of planning at DCI Nicholas Kamwende, former regional Coast police commander Paul Ndambuki and head of DCI Railways Dr Wanderi Mwangi.

The law says the Commission shall consider the applications, conduct public interviews and shortlist at least three persons qualified for the positions advertised.

After the interviews, the Commission will submit the three names to the President on Thursday for appointment as the new DCI.

The President shall then within seven days of receipt of the names forwarded under subsection (5), by notice in the Gazette, appoint a person as the Director of Criminal Investigations.

“The names of the shortlisted persons under subsection (3) shall be published in the Gazette. The Commission shall, within seven days from the date of publication of names under subsection (4), forward the shortlisted names to the President,” the National Police Service Act states.

The candidates were questioned on their wealth, experience, why they want to be the DCI and what they have to offer.

Applicants were required to be degree holders, posses 10 years experience and proven knowledge of criminal investigations.