Lobbying has intensified within the National Security Council and among senior police officers as exit of Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinet nears, reports the Nation.
On March this year, National Police Service Commission is expected to recruit substantive replacement of Mr Boinet, who is exiting after four years at the helm.
Deputy Inspector General in charge of Kenya Police Edward Mbugua is among the lead candidates for the position with his Administration Police counterpart Noor Gabow also being a Front-runner.
Douglas Kanja, the GSU Commandant is also a favourite candidate with Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i lauding his efforts in restoring normalcy during the DusitD2 terror attack in January.
Others are Corporate Communication lead officer Charles Owino, a familiar face in the police service and DCI George Kinoti, who could be prevailed upon to take the post.
Mr Boinet took over from David Kimaiyo, who resigned from his position following a series of terror attacks in the country between 2013 and 2015.
Former NPSC chairman Kavuludi described Mr Boinnet as an "extremely dedicated professional with an impressive personality".
For his part, Corporate Communications Director Charles Owino said Mr Boinnet gave officers the opportunity to exploit their potential.
"To me, his biggest achieving is creation of cohesion between the Kenya Police Service and the Administration Police Service, which had for years been engaged in bitter rivalry," a senior officer told the Nation.