The Inspector-General of Police abbreviated as IGP, is the highest ranked officer of the Kenya Police Force, responsible commanding and leading the Kenya Police. He is also in charge of overall and independent command and matter of the National Police Service. The position was established in 1964 as the Commissioner of Police. It was renamed to Inspection General of Police in 2012, to serve as the head of the two Police bodies of Kenya for a four-year term. The Kenya Police Service and the Administration Police Service is also headed by a Deputy Inspector- General. He is appointed by the President of Kenya and approved by the Parliament. The current Inspector General is Hillary Mutyambai, who is the third holder of the IGP position.
The Kenya Police has its small beginnings in the period between 1887 – 1902, tracing its foundation on the Imperial British East Africa (I.B.E.A.) Company, and a businessman Sir William McKinnon, who in the interest of his business found it necessary to provide some form of protection (security) for his stores along the coastline of Kenya.
It is from this origin that the concept of constituting a real police service was formed in Mombasa. Generally, police activities centered on protection of the business of the I.B.E.A. Company where the strength was mainly of Indian origin with a skeleton staff of some Africans otherwise referred to as ‘Askaris”. During those early stages of the small police force, its duties were negligible.
| Member of | National Police Service |
|---|---|
| Residence | Vigilance House, Harambee Ave |
| Appointer | President of Kenya |
| Term length | 4 years (non-renewable) |
| Inaugural holder | Bernard Hinga |
| Formation | 1964 (as Commissioner of Police) 2012 (as Inspector General) |
| Deputy | Noor Gabow |
| Salary | Ksh. 854,241. |
| Website | https://www.kenyapolice.go.ke/ |
List of Inspector-General of Police officeholders in Kenya
Colonial Commissioners Of Police
- Brig.Gen.F.S. Edward,CBC,MG,DSO,OBE (1908-1922)
- F.D.Thysen (1922-1925)
- R.C.A Cavendish,CBE (1931-1941)
- A.J. Kingsley-Heath (1941-1943)
- Mr. W.M.G Sandwith, OBE(1942-1947)
- C.H. Ward, OBE(1947-1949)
- Mr. M.S. O’Rorke, OBE (1950-1951)
- Mr.D.D.M.MCgoun, CBE OBE (1951-1954)
- Sir R. C.Cutling,OBE (1955-1964)
Post Colonial Commissioners Of Police & DIG’s Commissioner of Police (1964-2012)
- Bernard Hinga 1964–1978
- Ben Gethi 1978–1982
- Bernard Njinu 1982–1988
- Phillip Kilonzo 1988–1993
- Shedrack Kiruki 1993–1996
- Duncan Wachira 1996–1998
- Philemon Abong’o 1998–2002
- Edwin Nyaseda 2002–2003
- Maj Gen. Mohammed Hussein Ali 2004–2009
- Mathew Kirai Iteere 2009–2012
Inspector-Generals of Police (2012 – present)
- David Mwole Kimaiyo, 2012–2014
- Samuel Arachi, acting and Deputy Inpsector General-Administration Police Service 31 December 2014 – 11 March 2015
- Joseph Kipchirchir Boinett, 11 March 2015 – March 2019
- Hillary Nzioki Mutyambai, 8 April 2019
- Koome 2022
