Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a fresh attack on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, alleging that the police boss holds fake academic credentials and claiming President William Ruto privately acknowledged the issue.
Speaking during an interview on KTN News on Tuesday, July 22, Gachagua alleged that PresidentRuto once told him Kanja could be relied on to follow instructions because he did not possess genuine academic qualifications.
“IG Kanja’s degree certificate is fake, and I can tell you that as a matter of fact. I know because the President himself told me that this man would do whatever I wanted since he didn’t have papers,” Gachagua claimed.
Additionally, Gachagua further alleged that Kanja’s qualifications came into question during the vetting exercise of Kanja at the Parliament in August 2024.
According to Gachagua, the President Ruto had come to Kanja’s rescue when the issue was raised, allowing him to secure some forged academic qualifications.
“Indeed, it was raised, and then the President helped him get some fake papers,” he alleged.
Gachagua maintained that the political scenario surrounding the qualifications of Kanja has made him politically vulnerable, with the President using this factor to continue influencing the National Police Service.
Moreover, Gachagua indicated that the reason why Kanja continues holding this position is that he is a liability to be blamed anytime there is an issue concerning the police service.
Kanja was sworn in as Inspector General of Police in September 2024 following the successful vetting exercise where he qualified. During the hearings, he offered the required qualifications of a Bachelor of Commerce and the necessary clearance certificates needed to appoint him.
This includes the integrity certificate from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. Following the vetting process, the lawmakers agreed to support his nomination based on his professional background and the qualifications offered by him.
He was then nominated after the review of his background and documents by the politicians, enabling his nomination as the country’s Inspector General of Police.
Kanja cannot resign from office because his resignation will put him into political trouble with President Ruto, according to Gachagua.
During the interview, Gachagua also mentionedDeputy Inspector General Eliud Langat, describing him as a close associate of Kanja. He further alleged that Langat was linked to the murder of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang’. Gachagua, however, did not provide evidence to support the allegations.
