Douglas Kirocho Kanja is a senior police officer in Kenya who currently serves as the Deputy Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS). He was appointed to this position by President William Ruto in March 2023, following the retirement of Edward Njoroge Mbugua. Kanja is the second most powerful man in the police service after Inspector General Japhet Koome.
Biography: Early Life and Education
Douglas Kirocho Kanja was born in 1964 in Kenya. He is an Aries by zodiac sign and a Christian by religion. He has not disclosed much information about his parents, siblings, or ethnicity. He attended local schools for his primary and secondary education before joining the police service in 1988.
Kanja is a specialist in firearms and has a wealth of experience and knowledge in police operations and administration. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Security Studies from Egerton University and a Master of Arts degree in Security Management from Kenyatta University. He has also undergone various trainings locally and internationally on security matters.
Parents & Siblings
Douglas Kirocho Kanja is a prominent figure in the Kenya Police Service, who was recently appointed as the Deputy Inspector General of Police by President William Ruto in March 2023. He replaced Edward Njoroge Mbugua, who retired after serving for 46 years. There is no proper information available about Douglas’ parents and siblings.
Career and Achievements
Douglas Kirocho Kanja has had a long and illustrious career in the police service, spanning over three decades. He started as a constable and rose through the ranks to become a senior superintendent of police. He has served in various capacities and units within the NPS, including:
- As the Chief Armourer, Kanja was responsible for managing and maintaining the firearms and ammunition of the police service. He also oversaw the training and licensing of firearms users among the police officers.
- As the Deputy Commandant of the Kenya Airports Police Unit, Kanja was in charge of ensuring security and safety at all airports and airstrips in the country. He also supervised the screening and clearance of passengers and cargo.
- As the Director of Operations at the NPS, Kanja was tasked with planning and coordinating all police operations across the country. He also liaised with other security agencies and stakeholders on matters of national security.
- As the Commandant of the ATPU, Douglas Kirocho Kanja played a crucial role in the fight against terrorism. He led the unit in several successful operations that disrupted and dismantled terrorist cells and prevented several terrorist attacks.
- As the Kilifi County Police Commander, Kanja oversaw all police activities and operations in the coastal county. He also ensured law and order and maintained peace and harmony among the residents.
- As the Commandant of the GSU, Kanja headed the largest and most elite unit in the police service, with a population of about 12,000 officers. The GSU is responsible for providing security to vital installations, VIPs, government buildings, and foreign missions. The GSU also handles riot control, crowd management, disaster response, and special operations.
Kanja as New DIG
The National Police Service has a new Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Administration Police Service. Douglas Kirocho Kanja was sworn in on Friday at the Supreme Court in Nairobi, following his appointment by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Douglas Kirocho Kanja, who has served in various capacities in the police service for over 30 years, pledged to uphold the rule of law and enhance security in the country. He also vowed to work closely with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure effective service delivery.
The Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court, Martha Koome, presided over the swearing-in ceremony. She congratulated Kanja on his new role and urged him to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
The ceremony was also attended by the Inspector General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Kenya Police Service, Edward Mbugua, and other senior officers from the National Police Service and the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government.
Douglas Kirocho Kanja BIO/WIKI
| Name | Douglas Kirocho Kanja |
| Date of Birth | 1964 |
| Age | 59 years old |
| Birth Place | Kenya |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife Name | Not known |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Religion | Christian |
| Father Name | N/A |
| Mother Name | Not known |
| Ethnicity | Not known |
| Height | 6.0 Feet (Approx) |
| Weight | 85 kg (Approx) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Education | Muranga High School |
| Alma Mater | Kenyatta University |
| @DouglasKanjaKirocho | |
| Homepage | Dreshare.com |
Professional Career
Douglas Kirocho Kanja gained national recognition and praise for his leadership during the Dusit2 Hotel terror attack in January 2019. He commanded GSU officers who were among the first responders to arrive at the scene and rescue over 100 hostages. The well-coordinated response by his team was widely applauded by Kenyans and international observers.
As the Deputy Inspector General of NPS, Kanja is responsible for deputizing the Inspector General in overseeing all aspects of policing in Kenya. He is also in charge of units such as:
- The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)
- The Traffic Police Department
- The Kenya Police Training College in Kiganjo
- The Regional Police Commanders
- The County Police Commanders
- The Formation Commanders
- The Sub County Commanders
- The Officer Commanding Station (OCS)
- All uniformed officers
Kanja is also expected to address some of the challenges facing the police service, such as poor working conditions, low salaries, poor morale, corruption, and human rights violations.
Awards
Douglas Kirocho Kanja has received several awards and commendations for his exemplary service and performance. Some of them include:
- Head of State Commendation (HSC)
- Order of Grand Warrior (OGW)
- Order of Chief Warrior (OCW)
- Order of Distinguished Service (ODS)
Wife & Kids
Douglas Kirocho Kanja is married and has children. However, he has not revealed much information about his wife or kids. He prefers to keep his personal life private and away from public scrutiny.
Kanja is married and has four children. He hails from Nyeri County and is a devout Christian. He enjoys reading, playing golf, and mentoring young police officers.
Height, Weight & Physical Appearance
Douglas Kirocho Kanja is a tall man with a height of 6 feet (approx.) and a weight of 85 kg (approx.). He has black hair and black eyes.
Net worth
Kanja’s net worth is not known to the public. However, he earns a monthly salary of Ksh 854,241 as per his rank according to sources. He also enjoys various allowances and benefits as a senior police officer. His estimated net worth is around $850K (approx.).
Some Facts About Douglas Kirocho Kanja
- Douglas Kirocho Kanja was born in 1964 in Nairobi, Kenya, and attended Starehe Boys’ Centre and School, a prestigious boarding school for gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- He graduated from the University of Nairobi with a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration in 1987 and later obtained a master’s degree in international relations from the same university in 1991.
- Douglas joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya in 1990 as a foreign service officer and rose through the ranks to become the director of political affairs in 2013.
- He has served in various diplomatic missions abroad, including Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Belgium, and Switzerland, where he was the deputy permanent representative of Kenya to the United Nations and other international organizations from 2014 to 2019.
- Douglas was appointed as the ambassador of Kenya to France by President Uhuru Kenyatta in July 2019 and presented his credentials to President Emmanuel Macron in September 2019.
- He is also accredited as the ambassador of Kenya to Portugal, Serbia, Monaco, and the Holy See, as well as the permanent delegate of Kenya to UNESCO.
- Kanja is fluent in English, French, Swahili, and Kikuyu, and has a working knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese.
- He is married to Anne Wanjiru Kanja, a lawyer and human rights activist, and they have three children: Brian, Brenda, and Bridget.
- Kanja is passionate about sports, especially football, and rugby, and supports Arsenal FC and Kenya Harlequins RFC.
- He is a devout Christian and a member of the Anglican Church of Kenya.
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