Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has raised allegations concerning the academic qualifications of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, claiming that the police chief’s credentials are questionable.
Speaking during an interview on KTN News on July 22, Gachagua alleged that President William Ruto had previously suggested that Kanja could be vulnerable to influence because of concerns surrounding his academic background.
According to Gachagua, Kanja’s degree certificate is not genuine and would not withstand scrutiny if subjected to further examination.
The former Deputy President further claimed that concerns were raised over Kanja’s qualifications during his parliamentary vetting process in August 2024, alleging that efforts were made to facilitate documentation that would enable him to meet the requirements for the position.
Kanja was approved by Parliament in September 2024 after appearing before lawmakers for vetting and presenting a Bachelor of Commerce degree, alongside integrity clearances from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
During the approval process, MPs reviewed his academic qualifications, professional experience and suitability before endorsing his appointment as head of the National Police Service.
Gachagua argued that the alleged concerns surrounding Kanja’s credentials could affect his independence, claiming that the Inspector General may operate under pressure and become vulnerable to political influence.
He further suggested that Kanja could be used as a scapegoat if challenges arise within the police service.
In the same interview, Gachagua also spoke about Deputy Inspector General Eliud Langat, making allegations about relationships within the police leadership and linking him to the controversial death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang’.
The allegations made by Gachagua have not been independently verified. Neither the government, Inspector General Douglas Kanja nor other individuals mentioned have publicly responded to the claims at the time of publication.