The Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin has announced a series of senior command changes, including the appointment of a new Regional Criminal Investigations Officer (RCIO) for Nairobi.
This follows the official retirement of the director of investigations bureau at the DCI Abdallah Komesha on March 5, 2026.
In the changes, Daniel Kandie has been moved from Coast and appointed the new RCIO Nairobi, replacing Benson Kasyoki.
Kandie, who previously served as RCIO Coast, now takes charge of investigations in the capital, a region considered one of the most sensitive and complex in the country due to its high crime rate and economic significance.
Kasyoki has been redeployed to the Coast region in the same capacity as RCIO.
Amin termed the changes normal aimed at enhancing operations at large in the affected places.
Komesha was replaced by Francis Ndiema, who previously served as Director of Personnel.
Other key changes saw Sospeter Munyi moved from Commandant of the National Criminal Investigations Academy (NCIA) to Director of Forensics to replace Rosemary Kuraru, who shifts from Director of Forensics to Director of Personnel.
Jillo Ibrahim has been moved from Chief of the National Central Bureau (NCB) to Commandant of the NCIA.
The changes affect strategic departments, including investigations, forensics, personnel, and training — key pillars in the Directorate’s operations.
The reshuffle is expected to strengthen operational efficiency, enhance forensic capacity, and improve investigative coordination across regions.
Nairobi, being the country’s capital and economic hub, often handles high-profile criminal cases ranging from economic crimes to organised crime networks.
The appointment of a new RCIO signals renewed focus on boosting investigative performance in the region.
The changes take effect immediately, officials said.
They come in the wake of renewed war on organised crime and, in particular targeting boda boda gangs.
Tens of suspects have in the past year been lynched in a series of incidents in the country, signalling the deepened menace.
At least 845 incidents of mob justice were recorded across the country between January 2025 and February 2026, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said.
Murkomen disclosed that of the total cases reported, 579 resulted in deaths while 266 led to injuries, painting a grim picture of the scale and severity of the vice.
Kiambu County recorded the highest number of incidents at 90, out of which 58 resulted in deaths, while 32 caused injuries.
Nairobi followed closely with 85 cases, leading to 55 deaths and 30 injuries.
Embu registered 51 cases - 33 deaths and 18 injuries -while Kisumu recorded 45 incidents, with 36 deaths and nine injuries.
Kirinyaga had 39 cases, resulting in 28 deaths and 11 injuries, and Kakamega reported 32 incidents, with 19 deaths and 13 injuries.
Marsabit, Taita Taveta and Tana River each recorded one incident, and all resulted in fatalities, he said.
He said the government has noted growing public anxiety over mob justice, describing the incidents as often involving violent attacks, public humiliation and, in many cases, fatalities before suspects can be formally investigated or prosecuted.
Police say they have been recording a rise in mob lynching in a worrying trend.
Most of those targeted are suspected thieves targeting mobile phones.
“These cases often involve violent attacks, public humiliation and in some instances fatalities before suspects can be formally investigated or prosecuted,” Murkomen said.
To address the situation, Murkomen said the government has put in place several measures aimed at preventing mob justice and ensuring the lawful handling of suspects.
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