Functions of Director of Criminal Investigations in Kenya

The functions of the Director of Criminal Investigations in Kenya are provided for in the National Police Service Act. Primarily, the Director of Criminal Investigations is the chief executive officer of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

Moreover, the Director of Criminal Investigations is responsible for implementing the decisions of the Inspector-General in respect to the Directorate. The Director is also responsible for the efficient administration of the Directorate.

The Director of Criminal Investigations is also responsible for the day-to-day administration and management of the affairs of the Directorate.

The Director may perform other duties as may be assigned by the Inspector General, the National Police Service Commission, or as may be prescribed by the National Police Service Act, or any other written law.

Section 29 of the National Police Service Act provides for the Office of the Director of Criminal Investigations. The Director is appointed by the President.

Qualifications for the Director of Criminal Investigations

A person shall be qualified for appointment as the Director of Criminal Investigations if the person–

• is a citizen of Kenya;
• holds a degree from a University recognized in Kenya;
• has had at least ten years’ proven experience at the management level of a public institution;
• has had a distinguished career in his field;
• has knowledge and experience in criminal investigations or policing;
• has proven relevant experience in any of the following fields–
  • management;
  • law;
  • economics;
  • change management;
  • finance;
  • governance; or
  • public administration; and
• meets the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

The Director of Criminal Investigations shall be a State officer for the purposes of Article 260 of the Constitution.

The Director of Criminal Investigations shall, in the performance of the functions and duties of the office, be responsible to the Inspector-General.

The President may at any time remove, retire or redeploy the Director of Criminal Investigations at any time before the Director of Criminal Investigations attains the age of retirement.

Vacancy in the Office of the Director of Criminal Investigations

The office of the Director of Criminal Investigations shall become vacant if the holder–

• dies;
• resigns from office by a notice in writing addressed to the President; or
• is removed from office in accordance with the Constitution or the National Police Service Act.

Whenever a vacancy arises in the office of the Director of Criminal Investigations the President shall, on the recommendation of the National Police Service Commission within fourteen days from the date the vacancy arises, appoint a suitably qualified person to serve as Director of Criminal Investigations.

Functions of Director of Criminal Investigations in Kenya

The functions of the Director of Criminal Investigations in Kenya are as follows–

• be responsible for the effective and efficient administration and operations of the Directorate;
• provide strategic guidance and direction for the Directorate;
• be responsible for the preparation of the budget and planning for the directorate;
• monitor and evaluate the Directorate;
• undertake supervision of the Directorate;
• co-ordinate training, research and development in the Directorate;
• provide internal oversight of the Directorate;
• improve transparency and accountability in the Directorate.
• co-operate and engage in joint security operations with the Deputy Inspectors-General of both the Kenya Police Service and the Administration Police Service, other Government departments and security organs, where necessary, when relevant, to ensure the safety and security of the public; and
• perform any other functions that may be assigned by the Inspector-General under the National Police Service Act or any other law.

For more about the Director of Criminal Investigations, refer to the National Police Service Act..