The impending exit of Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinet has created friction among President Uhuru Kenyatta handlers and Deputy President William Ruto, reports the Standard.
While the post is set to be neutral, the appointment of Boinet, however, was done by President Uhuru, giving the post unique importance, thus the competition.
Among those tipped to be at pole position to replace Boinnet is Edward Njoroge Mbugua, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Police, and Noor Gabbow, the head of Administration Police.
The President could also appoint one of State House’s insiders and National Intelligence Service Director General Philip Kameru or Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti.
“This one will be a difficult one even for the President -- who has a final say on who will be the next IG -- from the push and pull already being witnessed,” said a source aware of the going ons.
“Remember the President has already made police reforms one of his key agendas so he will be keen on appointing an IG who will mould the service into the image he has in mind,” said the source.
While Ruto's team is pushing for appointment of Gabbow, State House mandarins are said to be pushing for Mr. Mbugua and Kameru since they are comfortable either way.
The IG is appointed for a non-renewable four year term and Boinet has been serving since March 2015, thus the ongoing lobbying to replace him.
Ruto is comfortable with Gabbow since he comes from the minority pastoralists community where he has interest for his 2022 bid.
After the dismissal of former IG David Kimaiyo, Ruto overpowered Uhuru and managed to influence Boinet's appointment.
But lately, a section of State House mandarins who are said to be opposed to his candidature, are pushing to have him displaced from the next equation so that they can comfortably control the security force.