Change in police leadership as Boniface Maingi is named IAU boss

The director of Kenya Police Reforms Boniface Maingi was on Monday named the new director of the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU).

Maingi replaces Judy Jebet Ndeda who was recalled to police headquarters for redeployment.

Ndeda had served the position since December 1, 2023, during which she achieved much.

 

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome announced the changes on Monday, April 8. Apart from Ndeda, a number of her officers at the office were also moved.

Maingi is a seasoned officer and served as the director of personnel at the police headquarters for a long.

Koome also disbanded an anti-terror unit that was based in his office and sent officers there to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

The team used to monitor and coordinate terror-related issues and report to the IG.

IAU is a unit within the service and is currently handling several cases touching on the police officers.

Meanwhile, tens of other officers who are said to have overstayed in a given station for more than three years were moved in a reshuffle. This was aimed at checking on operations at large, officials said.

The task force on police reforms in its latest report recommended that Parliament should amend Section 87 of the National Police Service Act to provide for competitive recruitment of the IAU Director, secure the tenure of the Director and clearly state the Director’s mandate.

 

It called for decentralisation of the Unit’s functions and to expressly authorise the IAU to enforce discipline and professional standards within the NPS.

“The NPS Act should be further amended to focus the functions of IAU on strictly disciplinary offences and not criminal matters that fall within the purview of DCI and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority,” the report says.

Part of the functions of IAU include receiving and investigating complaints against police.

It also promotes uniform standards of discipline and good order in the service and keeps a record of facts of any complaints or investigations made to it.

Without making prejudice the Unit may where necessary investigate and recommend appropriate action in respect of anyone found engaging in any unlawful conduct.

The unit is currently handling dozens of complaints against police, among them claims of extra-judicial killings.end


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