IG Japhet Koome Clarifies he`s Not Related to CJ Koome

According to Engineer Japhet  Koome who took the oath of Office on Friday 11th 2022 in a ceremony presided over by the Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court,Hon Lady Justice Martha Koome, he clarified that it is only but a coincidence that they share the name Koome.

“Once in a while, I look at the social media and I know last night there was a talk, a discourse on the socials that Koome would be sworn in by Koome. A lot of issues but interesting discussions that CJ is about wife and husband, brother and a sister... that is not the case,” IG designate Koome said.

“I have no blood relationship with the CJ. It is only that she is married to one Koome Kiragu and I am Koome Nchebere, I thought I should make that clear to our fellow Kenyans.”

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and CJ Martha Koome during aswearing in Ceremony On Friday 11th November at the Supreme Court buildings. PHOTO| COURTESY

CJ Koome agreed with the IG and reiterated that Koome was a well-liked name in the Meru community, so dispelling any notions of a relationship link between the two.

“Thank you for clarifying that you are not my blood relative... you should also have said that the name Koome is like Wafula, Anyango, Kamau, Mohammed... in other places. It is a name that is loved by many people. It means one who is very clever... so I hope the social media corrects that,” the CJ said.

However,  Eng Koome has taken over the leadership mantle of the National Police Service as the 4th Inspector General of Police, from Mr Noor Gabow who has been the IGP in acting capacity. This followed the retirement of Mr Hilary Mutyambai on healthreasons, as announced by His Excellency President William Ruto, on September 27, 2022. Mr Mutyambai, who prior to his appointment served at the National Intelligence Service, had taken over from retired IGP Joseph Kipchirchir Boinnet,also a former senior intelligence officer, who successfully completed his term and handed over office on April 4, 2019.

Engineer Japheth Koome, has served in the police service for the last 31 years, having been enlisted in the then Kenya Police Force in 1991 as a Policealso a former senior intelligence officer, who successfully completed his term and handed over office on April 4, 2019. Engineer Japheth Koome, has served in the police service for the last 31 years, having been enlisted in the then Kenya Police Force in 1991 as a Police Constable. This is after graduating from the University of Nairobi in 1990, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.

Education Background and where he drew his Passion from

Eng Koome, developed passion for police work while he was still a student at Kagumo high school and it is while in form five that he would visit Kenya Police College – Kiganjo twice a week under a programme dubbed, Kenya Police Cadet Cops, to learn police work. Upon his graduation at the country’s premier police training institution, Eng Koome, was posted to Nairobi where he performed beats and patrols duties as a police constable before being posted to the Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) in Gilgil. It is while at the unit credited with recovery of stolen livestock that Eng Koome was promoted from a constable to an Inspector of police and by 1998, he was a gazetted officer, at the rank of  Superintendent of Police.

With the experience gathered chasing after bandits and cattle rustlers, Eng Koome, was recalled to the general duty and posted to Buru Buru police division where he was the deputy divisional commander. He also served as the OCPD Machakos, Maragua, Buru Buru and Central in Nairobi where he dealt with armed criminal gangs in Nairobi’s Eastlands and bank robbers who had taken the city by storm. But perhaps it is his stint as the Director Planning at Police headquarters that Eng Koome’s impact in the service was heavily felt, as he spearheaded the police housing and modernization programme where dilapidated police structures across various police stations in the country left behind by colonialists, were replaced with modest buildings giving the service a new face. 

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome During his Swearing in On Friday 11th November at the Supreme Court buildings. PHOTO| COURTESY

He went on to serve as director planning for 10 years and oversaw major reforms in the thorny issue of police housing and infrastructure development. Recently, Eng Koome has served as the Nairobi police boss, the principal assistant to the Deputy Inspector General at Vigilance house and the Commandant National Police College Main Campus-Kiganjo. Eng Koome, has had an outstanding, colourful career since his enlistment and has left a mark in every management position that he has held. He has been at the forefront in spearheading major institutional  reforms that have taken place at the National Police Service and the Kenya Police Service over the years.

Undoubtedly, as he takes over office this morning, the new IGP will take the leading role in exercising independent command over the National Police Service and transforming the service to a people-centred police service that is responsive to the public safety and security needs of all Kenyans. The Director of Criminal Investigations Mr Mohamed Amin, and the entire Directorate of Criminal Investigations, welcomes Eng Koome, as he takes over office and wishes him all the best during his tour of duty as the fourth Inspector General of the National Police Service.

CJ Martha Koome at the Supreme Court buildings. PHOTO| COURTESY

The Inspector General’s Office was established following the promulgation of the 2010 constitution  and its first office holder retired IGP David Mwole Kimaiyo, appointed as the first office holder on December 20, 2012.