Intense lobbying saw the Director of the National Police Service’s Internal Affairs Unit David Birech named the new director of the Investigations Bureau (IB) at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters.
Birech swapped positions with seasoned detective Abdallah Komesha in the changes announced on June 9.
IB is seen as the backbone of police in general as it gives directions on various investigations.
Since Eliud Lagat was moved from IB, promoted, and named the Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU) some quarters saw it as a loss to them.
They lobbied to have “one of their own” there as part of efforts to control investigations.
And they succeeded as this saw the transfer of Birech to IB where the lobbyists feel they can do what they want, insiders said.
Komesha was in charge of investigations of the Shakahola massacre in Kilifi when he was recalled and informed of the abrupt changes.
Exhumation of bodies is ongoing and so far some 17 suspects face serious charges over the death of 278 bodies so far exhumed.
Komesha had been in charge at IB for less than two months since he took over from Lagat.
Komesha had also acted as the Deputy Inspector General of Kenya police for two months before Douglas Kanja was named as the substantive DIG.
Both Komesha and Birech are seasoned detectives.
The two officers are among those who were last week promoted to the rank of Senior Assistant Inspector General of police.
Others are Lagat, the director-general of the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS), Bruno Shioso, Deputy Director of Criminal
Investigations Nicholas Kamwende and John Onyango.
Also promoted was the Commandant NPC Embakasi “A” Campus James Kamau and Director of Operations Geoffrey Otunge.
Part of the functions of IAU includes receiving and investigating complaints against police.
It also promotes uniform standards of discipline and good order in the service and keeps a record of facts of any complaints or investigations made to it.
