Police Commissioners

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. 

Bernad Hinga (1964/1978) by UnknownKenya National Archives

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. 

Gen. W.F.S Edwards (1900/1900) by UnknownKenya National Archives

Police Commissioners before independence

Colonial police commissioners who served before Kenya gained independence in 1963.

F.D. Tyssen, Unknown, 1922/1925, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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Mr. F.D. Tyssen

Mr. F.D. Tyssen (1922 -1925)

R.C.A Cavendish, Unknown, 1931/1941, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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Mr. R.C.A Cavendish

Mr. R.C.A Cavendish (1931 -1941)

W.M.G Sandwith, Unknown, 1943/1947, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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Mr. W.M.G Sandwith

Mr. W.M.G Sandwith O.B.E (1943 -1947)

C.H Ward, Unknown, 1947/1949, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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Mr. C.H Ward

Mr. C.H Ward O.B.E. (1947 - 1949)

D.D. M McGoun, Unknown, 1949/1954, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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Mr. D.D.M Mc Goun

Mr. D.D.M Mc Goun CBE OBE (1949 - 1954)

Sir. R.C Catling, Unknown, 1954/1964, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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Sir. R.C Catling

Sir. R.C Catling was the last colonial police commissioner (1954 - 1964).

Dancun Wacira (1996/1998) by UnknownKenya National Archives

Post Independence Police Commissioners

Post independence police commissioners who served after Kenya gained independence in 1963.

Bernad Hinga, Unknown, 1964/1978, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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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.

B. M Gethi, Unknown, 1978/1982, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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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).

Bernard Njinu, Unknown, 1982/1988, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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Mr. Bernard Njinu

Mr. Bernard Njinu CBS DCO. Served as Commisiioner of Police between 1982–1988.

Philip M. Kilonzo, Unknown, 1988/1993, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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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)

Shadrack Kiruki, Unknown, 1993/1996, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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Mr. Shadrack Kiruki

Mr. Shadrack Kiruki, MGH, CBS. Served as Commissioner of Police 1993–1996.

Dancun Wacira, Unknown, 1996/1998, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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Mr. Duncan Wachira

Mr. Duncan Wachira HSC, MBS. (Service: 1996-1998)

Philemon Abong'o, Unknown, 1998/2003, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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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)

Edwin Nyaseda, Unknown, 2003/2004, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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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, Unknown, 2004/2009, From the collection of: Kenya National Archives
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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]

Credits: Story

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

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.