Kathiani MP Robert Mbui has initiated a parliamentary push to oust Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, citing "gross incompetence" and a blatant disregard for the rule of law after the police chief snubbed a high-stakes meeting with opposition principals.

The simmering tension between the National Police Service (NPS) and the political opposition boiled over this week, culminating in a motion to impeach Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja. Leading the charge is Kathiani MP and Deputy Minority Leader Robert Mbui, who has accused the IG of transforming the police service into a partisan tool and treating elected leaders with contempt. The flashpoint was a scheduled meeting at Vigilance House on Monday, February 16, 2026, where IG Kanja was set to meet United Opposition leaders—including Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, and Rigathi Gachagua—only to allegedly dodge the engagement.

The opposition delegation had visited the police headquarters to demand accountability regarding a series of security breaches, specifically the "Othaya church attack" targeting former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the alleged "systematic harassment" of opposition allies. Instead of a sit-down, the leaders were met by junior officers at the gate, a move Mbui described as a "calculated insult" and a dereliction of duty.

The Grounds for Impeachment

Mbui’s motion is anchored on several constitutional violations. He argues that IG Kanja has failed to uphold Article 245 of the Constitution, which demands the police service be professional and independent. The specific charges likely to be tabled include:

• Ignoring Summons: The failure to meet with national leaders despite a prior arrangement is being framed as a violation of the accountability required of a state officer.
• Partisanship: Mbui alleges that the police under Kanja have become weaponized against the opposition while turning a blind eye to goons attacking opposition rallies. The Othaya incident, where hired thugs disrupted a church service attended by Gachagua, is cited as prime evidence of this bias.
• Violation of Article 37: The motion also accuses the police of using excessive force and roadblocks to stifle the constitutional right to assembly and protest, a recurring grievance from the "Saba Saba" protests to date.

"Orders from Above"

The political narrative being spun by Mbui and the opposition is that Kanja is not acting alone. "We believe this is because of orders from above," Eugene Wamalwa stated outside Vigilance House. By targeting the IG, the opposition is effectively firing a warning shot at the Executive. Impeaching an IG is a steep uphill battle, requiring a two-thirds majority in a Parliament where the ruling coalition enjoys a comfortable numbers advantage. However, Mbui’s strategy appears to be one of "naming and shaming," forcing the IG to appear before the House to answer uncomfortable questions about the state of security.

A deepening Rift

The standoff highlights a dangerous breakdown in the relationship between Kenya’s security apparatus and its political class. When an Inspector General cannot—or will not—meet with the former Deputy President and key opposition figures, it signals a polarization of the institutions meant to serve all Kenyans. For Robert Mbui, the motion is more than just a procedural act; it is a desperate attempt to assert parliamentary oversight over a police service that he claims has gone rogue. As the motion heads to the floor, Kenyans will be watching to see if Parliament can muscle its way back into relevance or if the "orders from above" will shield IG Kanja from the storm.