The events of June 25th, when demonstrators stormed parliament, haunted Police Inspector General nominee Douglas Kanja during his confirmation hearing before the Senate and National Assembly joint security committees.

Members of the committee questioned how police were overpowered by demonstrators and gained access to parliament despite the fact that it is a protected area.

Kanja, who had been serving as Deputy Inspector General and Commandant of the General Service Unit since 2018, admitted that it was the 'lowest point' of his police career.

“Were you pleased with the invasion of parliament?” Asked Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda.

“How come that such thing could happen and yet you couldn’t have basic fire engine to put out that fire, was it laxity, was it lack of preparedness.” Asked Gabriel Tongoyo who is the co-chair of the committee.

“We were fully prepared, because we had faced similar issues before, but the multitude of the people that turned out was huge, Thika road was blocked, Kiambu road was blocked, the globe roundabout was blocked even for water cannons getting water was a challenge.” Said Kanja.

“I believe we handled the demonstrations well, that is why we are seated here doing what we are doing, because the security of the country was at threatened, but now we are here and very safe.” He added.

However, Kanja stated that there was room for improvement in demonstration preparations to ensure that protected areas were not overrun.

The issue of police using excessive force, killing and maiming unarmed demonstrators, was also raised, with Kanja promising that extra-judicial killings would not be tolerated during his reign.

“There is no country that can allow extra judicial killings, its illegal if it ever happens, if there is excessive use of force by an officer we have the oversight bodies, and I know there are several investigations that are ongoing in relation to what happened during the demonstrations, that is a clear demonstration that any use of force cannot go unpunished.” He told the committee.

Fatuma Jehow, a Wajir Woman representative, asked the nominee to explain why police officers were not wearing proper uniforms while dealing with demonstrators and arrests.

“We want to know why the police were doing operations without wearing police uniforms and covering their face, we know the courts have ruled on it, but what will you do to address this?” She asked.

“That issue is very serious because we saw what happened in Nyalaenda as people who were not uniformed shot and killed people and police ran away from it, he must tell us what he proposes to do to deal with the issue.” Said Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma.

“That is the area where I am going to address, because we know what the regulations say, we are going to deal with it.’’ Kanja told the committee. 

“The concern is very valid, I will be the chair of the joint service board, and I will insist on accountable police service, the necessary uniforms that is supposed to be worn will be put on.” He added