Revolving door of Nakuru police chiefs raises security, trust concerns

Residents say the frequent changes have made it difficult to build lasting trust between the police and the community.

“Every time we begin to understand a commander’s approach, they are transferred. It affects how security issues are handled,” said a trader in Nakuru’s central business district.

Since 2021, no County Police Commander has held the position for more than 16 months, with some tenures lasting only a few months.

Beatrice Kiraguri served as Nakuru County Police Commander from March 31, 2021, to July 4, 2022, marking one of the relatively longer stints in the recent past.

While in Nakuru, Ms Kiraguri initiated a programme to help junior officers cope with depression, aimed at curbing cases of murder, suicide, robberies, and other crimes committed by police officers, which were on the rise nationally.

The programme, which included football tournaments among officers from all sub-counties and well-being sessions, sought to address mental health challenges by strengthening relationships between junior and senior officers.

It was launched six months into her tenure, allowing officers of different ranks to interact as teammates, coaches, and fans, regardless of rank.

She was succeeded by Mr Peter Mwanzo, who took over on July 4, 2022, but served for just over seven months until February 16, 2023.

On June 29, 2022, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i appointed Mwanzo as County Police Commander following public outcry over a wave of murders that drew the attention of the country’s top security leadership.

Mwanzo was deployed to Nakuru during a high-level meeting attended by senior security officials, including then Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss George Kinoti, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, and Inspector of Police Douglas Kanja, who was then the GSU Commandant.

Following the meeting, Dr Matiang’i announced key changes, including the reshuffling of officers across ranks. Mwanzo, who was then Kasarani Deputy County Police Commander, replaced Ms Kiraguri after a brief transition period, as criminal activities spread to peri-urban areas such as Bahati, Lanet, Mawanga, Ngomongo, and Workers Estate.

Ms Kiraguri was redeployed to Vigilance House, while Mwanzo was tasked with restoring order in affected estates, including Mawanga, Rhonda, Kivumbini, and Flamingo, which had experienced unrest linked to criminal gangs such as the notorious “Confirm” group.

At the time, Nakuru was grappling with rising insecurity driven by organised criminal gangs, including a spate of murders targeting women and girls.

Victims were attacked in their homes in broad daylight, raped, killed, and their bodies wrapped in clothes or mattresses before being set on fire to conceal evidence.

At least eight women were killed in Bahati Sub-county alone.

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Among the victims were Grace Wanjiru, 20, Susan Wambui, 38, Diana Opicho, 23, Beatrice Akinyi, 21, Judy Nyambura, 40, Shadiah Cheupe, 17, and Rimsy Wanjiru, 11, killed between June and July.

During his tenure, Mr Mwanzo hit headlines as he dealt with the gangs, with reports suggesting the crime rate went down.

However, a few months into his tenure, Mr Mwanzo rubbed shoulders the wrong way with human rights defenders following an incident in Barut, Nakuru West Sub-county, where four men were allegedly murdered at the hands of police, in what the police said was linked to a murder case in the area.

Human rights groups linked the incident to a murder case, while Mwanzo maintained that the men were members of the “Confirm” gang and were shot by officers acting in self-defence during a night patrol.

The Independent Medico-Legal Unit called for his suspension over the incident.

During his leadership, many suspected members of the “Confirm” gang, including alleged ringleaders and suspects in the murders of the women, were arrested and charged in court.

Mwanzo was later recalled to Nairobi, with his redeployment drawing mixed reactions from residents, some of whom argued that his short tenure had begun to restore calm.

He was replaced by Mr Zachary Kimani, who assumed office on February 16, 2023, but served for less than five months until July 3, 2023.

During his tenure, Mr Kimani held no press briefings to update residents on the security situation. He was succeeded by Mr Samuel Ndanyi, whose tenure was also brief.

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Mr Ndanyi served from July 3, 2023, to October 9, 2024, before being promoted to Regional Commander for Central Region. He would later return to the Rift Valley in a regional capacity.

His tenure was marked by significant challenges, including the June 2024 anti-finance bill protests, during which three people—Austin Onyisa Makhoha, 17, Michael Kihuga, 28, and Kelvin Kagoni Madanga—were shot dead by police as they repulsed demonstrators.

In July, Nakuru-based MediaMax reporter Catherine Wanjeri was shot in the thighs with rubber bullets while on duty along Kenyatta Avenue. No action has been taken against the officer involved.

The leadership changes continued into 2024 and 2025. Mr Michael Mwaura took over on October 9, 2024, serving until March 14, 2025.

His tenure was followed by a promotion from Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to Commissioner of Police, marking another upward transition from the county role. He later served from March 2025 to July 24, 2025.

During this period, in April 2024, journalists covering the arrest of Cleophas Malala, the scriptwriter of the controversial Gen Z-themed play Echoes of War, were teargassed and injured in Rongai, Nakuru County.

More than 15 journalists from different media houses had gathered at Kirobon Girls' High School ahead of the National Drama Festivals.

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Despite being clearly identifiable, they were caught in a chaotic scene as teargas was lobbed in their direction, disrupting live broadcasts.

Several journalists were injured during the incident, and no officer has since been held accountable.

Royal Media cameraman Evans Asiba and Robert Maina were assaulted by police in anti-riot gear, while their counterpart, Mary Anne Nyambura, was injured after police hurled teargas canisters.

Standard Group reporter Carolyne Chebet, and KTN’s Peter Kimani and Kennedy Gachuhi, and Mtaa Wangu reporter Purity Kinuthia were also battered by some officers.

Since then, not a single officer has been held accountable, despite public outcry and promises of swift investigations.

During this period, Nakuru also experienced a surge in violent crime, including murders and robberies targeting businesses. Six people, including a police officer, were killed in areas such as Pipeline, Pakawa, Ndege Ndimu, Ngata, and Soilo.

Among the victims were businessman Jackson Mwangi and Paul Ndung’u, both killed in separate robbery incidents in May 2025. The attackers frequently targeted M-Pesa shops, using motorcycles to escape.

The most shocking incident occurred on June 1, 2025, when armed criminals shot and killed a police officer and injured two others during a confrontation in Freehold.

Constable Josephat Ruto was among the officers ambushed while on patrol. In a separate incident, Elias Mwambili was fatally shot at his workplace in Upper Hill, Soilo Estate, while another victim, Enoch Koech, was killed near Ngata Bridge while responding to a robbery.

Mr Emmanuel Epuru assumed command on July 24, 2025, serving until March 2026.

His tenure was marked by incidents such as violent land clashes in Mau Narok, which left houses destroyed and temporarily blocked the Nakuru–Narok road.

He also oversaw security crackdowns in London Estate targeting suspected drug peddlers and illicit brew operators. Several houses linked to illegal activities were destroyed, and more than 15 suspects were arrested.

These operations followed rising insecurity along the Nakuru–Mogotio Road, particularly near the Gioto dumpsite, where attacks on motorists and pedestrians had been reported.

The latest change sees Mr Samuel Boit, formerly Migori Sub-County Police Commander, take over as the new County Police Commander, becoming the latest officer to assume a role that has increasingly become short-term.

The frequent reshuffles come amid growing security demands in Nakuru, driven by rapid urbanisation, population growth, and evolving crime patterns. While promotions and routine transfers are common within the National Police Service, the pace of changes in Nakuru stands out.

As Mr Boit takes charge, attention now turns to whether he can break the cycle and provide longer-term stability in the county’s security leadership.

The new commander says his time in office will be defined by ensuring a secure, safer, and more conducive environment.

During his first week in office, detectives uncovered a mobile phone theft syndicate operating in Kaptembwa and the Nakuru Central Business District, recovering more than 100 stolen phones and arresting eight suspects.

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