By Kenya National Archives
Kenya National Archives
A photographic trip down memory lane that shows all the police commissioners who have served or held jurisdiction within the Kenyan borders ever since the colonization era right (1886 to 1st June 1963) down to the most recent commissioner. The police service has always been the force to maintain law and order in a territory. The commissioners are the chiefs of the police unit. They are in charge of the order and an important factor for the stability of the system.
INTRODUCTION
A photographic trip down memory lane that shows all the police commissioners who have served or held jurisdiction within the Kenyan borders ever since the colonization era right (1886 to 1st June 1963) down to the most recent commissioner. The police service has always been the force to maintain law and order in a territory. The commissioners are the chiefs of the police unit. They are in charge of the order and an important factor for the stability of the system.
Police Commissioners before independence
Colonial police commissioners who served before Kenya gained independence in 1963.
Mr. F.D. Tyssen
Mr. F.D. Tyssen (1922 -1925)
Mr. R.C.A Cavendish
Mr. R.C.A Cavendish (1931 -1941)
Mr. W.M.G Sandwith
Mr. W.M.G Sandwith O.B.E (1943 -1947)
Mr. C.H Ward
Mr. C.H Ward O.B.E. (1947 - 1949)
Mr. D.D.M Mc Goun
Mr. D.D.M Mc Goun CBE OBE (1949 - 1954)
Sir. R.C Catling
Sir. R.C Catling was the last colonial police commissioner (1954 - 1964).
Post Independence Police Commissioners
Post independence police commissioners who served after Kenya gained independence in 1963.
Bernad Hinga
Bernad Hinga was the first African police commissioner from 1964–1978. He died aged 75 years, on a Wednesday evening at his Macule coffee farm in Juja, Thika district.
During Gethi
During Gethi's time as GSU commandant, B. M Gethi is believed to have lured M.P J.M Kariuki into the hands of his killers in 1975; he wielded immense influence in founding President Kenyatta’s government (Service: 1978–1982).
Mr. Bernard Njinu
Mr. Bernard Njinu CBS DCO. Served as Commisiioner of Police between 1982–1988.
Philip M. Kilonzo
Philip M. Kilonzo was killed at a bar in Matuu Ndalas by way of drinking poisoned White Cap. His dying words were, "This beer tastes different, what have you done to it?" (Service: 1988–1993)
Mr. Shadrack Kiruki
Mr. Shadrack Kiruki, MGH, CBS. Served as Commissioner of Police 1993–1996.
Mr. Duncan Wachira
Mr. Duncan Wachira HSC, MBS. (Service: 1996-1998)
Philemon Abong'o
Philemon Abong'o is remembered for banning operation of bloody vigilante sects such as the Mungiki, along with the Talibans, Kizunguzungu and Baghdad in 2003. (Service: 1998–2002)
Mr Nyaseda
Mr Nyaseda, the eighth police chief in independent Kenyahas the shortest tenure at the helm of the police force, he is credited with initiating the police reforms program
(Service: 2002–2003).
Major Gen. Mohammed Hussein Ali
Major Gen. Mohammed Hussein Ali who served as police commissioner from 2004 to 2009. Charges against him were dropped at the ICC - where he had been charged with crimes against humanity in 2012.
(Service: 2004–2009)
[Source: Daily Guide Kenya]
Research and curation:
1. Martin K. Maitha
2. Magunga Williams Oduor, who runs Kenya's leading digital creative writing space (www.magunga.com)
3. Belva Digital team.
Photography: Bobbypall Photography (http://bobbypallphotography.co.ke/)
Text & Images: Kenya National Archives
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