Kenya Police Spokesperson Dr. Resila Onyango was on Thursday named Commandant of the Diplomatic Police Unit, and Kiambu Police Commander Michael Nyaga Muchiri appointed as her successor.
Dr Onyango was appointed as Police spox in November 2022, replacing Bruno Shioso, who was moved to National Police Service Training Campus in Kiganjo as commandant.
Formed in 2005 as a unit within the National Police Service, the DPU specialized security for diplomats.
The funtions of the DPU include liaising with diplomatic missions on security matters, coordinating rapid responses, providing static and mobile security for diplomatic missions, and patrols around diplomatic missions and residencies; traffic control and investigating incidents involving diplomats.
The unit has its operational and administrative headquarters in Nairobi and a field office in Mombasa.
She joined the police in 2003 from her teaching career, rising to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.
Onyango undertook her Master of Science degree in Criminology in 2010 on the CUNY Graduate Centre Doctorate scholarship at the University of Pennsylvania. She had studied Education at Moi University.
She proceeded to the City University of New York in 2013 to undertake her PhD studies in Criminal Justice, earning her doctorate in 2018.
She has taught Criminal Justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City and at USIU-Africa in Nairobi.
He previous roles include criminal intelligence officer at Interpol’s regional bureau of East Africa and Deputy Director of Planning at the Office of the Inspector General of Police,
OTHER CHANGES
In the first changes by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja since he took over from Japhet Koome, Coast Regional Police Commander George Sedah was transferred to Nairobi, replacing Adamson Bungei.
Bungei, who faced criticism for excessive use of force on peaceful Gen Z protesters, is the new Director of Operations at police headquarters, taking over from William Yiampoy.
Yiampoy previously worked as the Presidential Escort Unit Commander. His new role wasn’t announced.
Kwale Police Commander Ali Nuno was promoted to Coast Regional Police Commander, while Dr. Mwangi Wanderi, formerly head of National Forensics Laboratory at DCI, takes over as Director of Human Capital at Vigilance House.
Rosemary Kuraru will head the National Forensics Laboratory, Judy Jebet was moved to head Community Policing, replacing John Gachomo, while Daniel Korir was redeployed to command the Kenya Airports Police Unit.
Michael Sang will now be the Eastern Regional DCI Head.
