Uasin Gishu county commissioner Dr Edisson Nyale with outgoing county police boss Benjamin Mwanthi at a media briefing in EldoretUasin Gishu has a new county police commander following the promotion of Benjamin Mwanthi to become the country’s Traffic Commandant.
Wilberforce Sicharani has taken over as the new county police commander after serving as the Gigiri subcounty police commander in Nairobi.
Residents and leaders in Eldoret on Thursday held a farewell ceremony for Mwanthi, who served as Uasin Gishu county police boss for six years.
Mwanthi, who assumed office in 2020, is credited with reducing crime levels in Eldoret and across the county through closer cooperation between police and local communities.
“I am grateful for being given another opportunity to serve Kenyans in another capacity. I thank God and the National Police Service for the great honour,” Mwanthi said.
During his tenure, Mwanthi worked closely with county commissioner Edison Nyale to strengthen security and community policing initiatives in the region.
Nyale praised Mwanthi for his commitment and service to residents.
“We have worked very well together and we wish him success in his new assignment,” Nyale said.
Religious leaders led by Abubakar Bini also commended Mwanthi for fostering strong working relations between security agencies and local communities.
“Mwanthi and his team worked closely with communities and various groups in the region, which contributed greatly to improved security for residents,” Bini said.
Local leaders welcomed Sicharani to the county and pledged support as he assumes office.
Mwanthi had replaced Frederick Ochieng, who was recalled to police headquarters at Vigilance House in Nairobi.
In the latest reshuffle announced by Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, Central regional police commander Jasper Ombati was also recalled to Vigilance House and replaced by Railway police boss Geoffrey Maiyek.
Senior officer John Chebii, who recently returned from the Haiti mission and had been serving under the General Service Unit, was appointed Eastern regional police commander, replacing Hillary Birgen, who was also recalled to police headquarters.
Officials said the transfers were routine and aimed at strengthening police operations ahead of next year’s planned polls. More changes within the service are expected in the coming days.
The police reshuffle comes days after the government announced changes affecting regional and county administrators, including the appointment of new Regional Commissioners for Eastern, Nyanza and Western regions.
