DIG Lagat make changes in top echelons of KPS, names new directors in mini reshuffle
In the changes, two new directorates have been established; the Directorate of the Children and Gender Protection Unit and the Counselling Unit ostensibly to tackle the rising cases of Gender Based Violence
The Kenya Police Service (KPS) Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Eliud Lagat announced changes affecting three directorates within the Kenya Police at Vigilance House exactly one and a half months after resuming office.
In the changes, two new directorates have been established; the Directorate of the Children and Gender Protection Unit and the Counselling Unit ostensibly to tackle the rising cases of Gender Based Violence.
The two new units have been hived off from the Directorate of Community Policing, previously headed by Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police (SAIG) Judy Lamet.
While the Directorate of the Children and Gender Protection Unit while majorly focus on children and gender welfare, the Counselling Unit will on the other hand primarily focus on mental health of the police at large.
Lagat resumed office mid-July this year after he was absolved from any involvement in the controversial death of teacher-cum-blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody at Central Police Station in Nairobi through strangulation in June this year.
Lagat had voluntarily stepped aside on June 16, 2025 amid mounting public pressure, delegating his duties to his principal deputy, Patrick Tito, as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) launched investigations into the incident.
In the latests changes, Lamet will continue as Director of Community Policing, focusing on strengthening the relationship between the police and the public.
Dolly Onyango has been appointed as the new Director of the Children and Gender Protection Unit.
The new directorate which was hived from the Community Policing will handle all matters touching on children and women, including cases of gender-based violence and crimes affecting children.
Lagat also divided the Directorate of Chaplaincy and Psychosocial Support into two units, appointing new commanders for each. Dr. Vincent Makoha, who previously led the Chaplaincy unit, was redeployed to police headquarters at Vigilance House.
On the other hand, Evelyne Njeri, a trained counselor, will now head the newly established Counselling Unit. The unit is supposed to focus on mental health of many police officers in the service.
The menace is on the rise which has prompted the creation of the unit to address it, officials said.
Many police officers are killing or being killed over the mental health issues. This has negatively affected police services.
In the changes, Lagat also moved and named Clinton Kimaiyo, formerly the Deputy Head of the RECCE Unit, was posted as Murang’a County Police boss.
As the county police boss, Kimaiyo was expected to lead operations against illicit brews and the invasion of private lands by criminal squatters.
There is also a menace of pineapple thieves at the expansive Delmonte farm. Muranga is also facing a rise in murder cases.
He succeeded Benjamin Kimwele, who was recalled to police headquarters.
The Rift Valley region got a new Deputy Police Chief after Michael Ndiaga, previously serving at the Regional Headquarters in Nakuru, took over from Joel Lekuta, who was redeployed to the Logistics Department at Vigilance House, Kenya Police headquarters.
