Japhet Koome has resigned as the Inspector General of the National Police Service.

Koome's surprise resignation was announced on Friday afternoon by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed in a statement to newsrooms.

"HIS EXCELLENCY William Samoei Ruto, Ph.D., CGH, President and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, has on this 12th day of July, 2024, accepted the resignation of Eng. Japheth N. Koome, MGH, as the Inspector General of the National Police Service," the statement reads in part.

Pending the appointment of a new police IG, the Head of State has designated Mr. Douglas Kanja, the current Deputy-Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, as the acting Inspector-General of the National Police Service.

In the changes, Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, Noor Gabow, has been redeployed within the Public Service.

Consequently, Mr. Eliud Langat will be the Acting Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, and Mr. James Kamau will be the Acting Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service.

Koome has been under fire over arbitrary arrests and abductions by police during the recent anti-government protests.

The police service came under heavy public criticism, with human rights organizations announcing that police killed at least 39 people during the countrywide protests triggered by the now-withdrawn Finance Bill 2024.

Koome was particularly criticized by political leaders and members of the public for remaining silent and failing to address accusations of brutality by his officers.

The changes in the police service come a day after President William Ruto dissolved his Cabinet, ostensibly to calm down the public dissatisfaction with his administration.

Meanwhile, President William Ruto has appointed Mr. Patrick Mwiti Arandu as the Commissioner General of Prisons.

"Mr. Arandu takes over from Brigadier (Rtd) John Warioba, who is proceeding on terminal leave pending the end of his tenure of office," added the statement from State House.

Other changes in the senior ranks of the police service include the designation of Mr Ranson Lolmodooni to be the Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU) and Mr. Gilbert Masengeli to be the Commandant at the Administration Police Training College (APTC), Embakasi.

Mr. William Yiampoy has also been designated to be the Director of Operations, at Police Headquarters and Mr. Kainga Mathiu to be the Commandant of the National Police Leadership Academy (NPSA), Ngong.

"His Excellency the President has expressed his gratitude to the outgoing Inspector-General of the National Police Service for the service he has rendered to the nation and has extended his best wishes for success in all his future pursuits," added State House spokesperson Mohamed.

The changes notified take effect immediately.