Swearing-in of Mr. Douglas Kanja as Inspector General of Police

Presided over the swearing-in of Mr. Douglas Kanja as Inspector General of Police. The Hon. Chief Justice urged him to always remember and have it in mind that law enforcement does not exist in isolation. The police service is a critical cog in the broader justice sector machinery. The effectiveness of each justice sector Agency—whether it be the Judiciary, Prosecution, Correctional Services, or the Police—depends on the strength of inter-agency collaboration. This was the rationale behind the establishment of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), which brings together key players to enhance synergy and cooperation in the administration of justice.

The challenges we face in the justice sector can only be effectively tackled when we embrace a collaborative spirit. We must eliminate turf wars and silo mentalities that hinder the delivery of justice to the Kenyan people. The new Inspector General of Police bears the immense responsibility of upholding the rule of law. The police, as the enforcers of law and order, must themselves be the most ardent defenders of constitutionalism and the rule of law. This includes respecting and enforcing court orders without exception. It would be a betrayal of justice if the very institution charged with law enforcement were to disregard lawful court decisions. The police service must lead by example, setting a standard of compliance that other citizens can emulate. The rule of law is fragile and requires constant vigilance to preserve it. Any deviation from lawful conduct, especially by the security apparatus, risks leading us down the path of anarchy.

We must guard against this by ensuring that law enforcement remains anchored in legality, accountability, and respect for human rights. When the police act within the law, they contribute to societal stability and reinforce public confidence in our justice institutions. What we have witnessed in the past few days threatens the very foundation of our society. It erodes public confidence in the ability of our institutions to respect and abide the rule of law and respect for our constitutional ideals. It must never happen again. I hope that with the appointment of substantive leadership, we can restore faith in the leadership of the National Police Service and indeed, our success as collaborative justice sector partners