- Mbugua has been in and out of hospital since November 11 when he collapsed in his office.
- After he reportedly fell, he was able to stand up and attend the swearing in ceremony of Japhet Koome as the Inspector General of Police.
Image: GEORGE OWITI
A bruising succession battle has emerged at Vigilance House over the pending retirement of Deputy Inspector General of Police Edward Mbugua.
Mbugua is one of the two senior most officers in the National Police Service and is set to retire next year.
But the police employer, National Police Service Commission, has decided to name an acting DIG for the service to replace Mbugua.
This is after he was taken ill almost a month ago and is yet to return to work.
He has delegated his work to his principal assistant Miriam Muli.
Sources said the sickness of Mbugua had crippled most police operations at the critical service and the commission plans a meeting this week to name an officer to act as the DIG pending recruitment and naming of a substantive holder of the position.
This has triggered a battle and lobbying for the position amid reports some are reaching to high offices seeking favours.
Mbugua has been in and out of hospital since November 11 when he collapsed in his office.
After he reportedly fell, he was able to stand up and attend the swearing in ceremony of Japhet Koome as the Inspector General of Police on that day.
He however missed subsequent meetings that day.
Officials said he has been coming to office but he leaves early to see his doctor, which has prompted the move to name someone to act in his position.
Other sources said he was upset after he learnt his personal assistant had been transferred to Western without his consent or being consulted.
“He felt it was wrong for anyone to transfer his PA without asking him. This really affected him,” an informed officer said.
Mbugua did not respond to our calls for a comment.
But other sources said there are plans to name an officer to act as the DIG for now.
At least three names are being considered for the position.
They include current Eastern regional police commander Rono Bunei, director of police reforms at Vigilance House Munga Nyale, Muli and Jecinta Kinyua.
Dozens of other senior police officers are salivating at Mbugua’s office, as it was the topmost available position for the next four years.
Mbugua’s term in office was extended in November 2019 after he attained retirement age.
This means he is supposed to leave office next year in November.
Police authorities describe Mbugua as one of the best officers who had served the service with diligence and dedication.
The National Police Service Act says the President can redeploy the DIG before he or she attains the age of retirement.
“The President may remove, retire or redeploy a Deputy Inspector General at any time before he attains the age of retirement,” reads part of the Act.
The functions of the DIG are crucial for the command of the National Police Service.
Article 245 of the Constitution provides for two positions of Inspector General to head the Kenya Police Service and the Administration Police Service respectively.
The President appoints each Deputy Inspector General of Police with the recommendation of the National Police Service Commission.
The Deputy Inspectors General of Kenya Police and Administration Police under the direction of the Inspector General should command, control and administer their arm of the police service.
The DIG Kenya Police Service is subject to the direction, command and control of the Inspector General, and is responsible for the effective and efficient day-to-day administration and operations of the Kenya Police Service.
He implements policies and directions of NPS in relation to the Kenya Police Service, prepares the budget, planning and provision of support for the service, establishes and maintains police stations, outposts, units or unit bases in the counties and determines the boundaries of the police stations, outposts or unit bases.
Moreover, he should establish a facility in each police station for receiving, recording and reporting complaints from members of the public.
The DIG should manage, monitor and evaluate KPS, undertake the supervision of the service, coordinate training in KPS, provide internal oversight of the service, establish and maintain a relationship between the Kenya Police Service and the community and improve transparency and accountability in the Kenya Police Service.