Major General (Rtd) Gordon Kihalangwa returns to his roots at Department of Defense, six years after leaving for public service duties.
Afters years of service at KDF, Maj Gen Kihalangwa was appointed Immigration Director, a position that saw him clash with civilians throughout his tenure.
Perhaps the most ugly confrontation was in Feb 2018, a month before he was promoted by President Uhuru Kenyatta as Principal Secretary in Immigration department, where he participated directly in deportation of lawyer Miguna Miguna.
Just like his Interior Cabinet Secretary boss Dr Fred Matiang'i, the two were jointly convicted by Justice Chacha Mwita and fined Sh7.2 million meant for violation of Miguna's rights.
“Where overzealous civil servants act beyond the law, it is not for the taxpayers to bear the burden,” ruled justice Mwita.
Later, he returned a badly destroyed passport of Miguna Miguna to court. Until now, Miguna remains stranded in Canada despite numerous court orders.
“In compliance with orders issued on February 15, we attach hereto the perforated passport of the applicant,” the letter read.
Tuesday's reorganization of government by President Uhuru Kenyatta saw him replacing Saitoti Torome as PS Ministry of Defence, a possible preparation to take over from Raychelle Omamo in future.
Even as Torome moved to Planning, Uhuru did not name Kihalangwa's replacement at Immigration, meaning that he will double in two departments. Dr Julius Muia moved from Planning to Treasury to replace embattled Kamau Thugge.