When the current Inspector General of Police leaves office, the man or woman who takes over from him will find a backlog of police reforms to deal with.
In fact, the incoming IG will be required to work twice harder than his predecessor to take policing to the next level.
He or she will assume office at a time when the security sector reforms are in top gear.
The candidate will oversee the implementation of critical human resource aspects such as the house allowances, purchase of new police uniforms and equipments required for the police modernisation.
It will be a full in-tray for the new candidate who will also oversee the reorganisation of the police service.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has already made police reforms one of his key agendas.
The next IG will have a major task in driving the envisaged reforms that include ensuring every officer gets the new uniforms.
The migration of police officers to the newly created police stations and the smooth movement of officers from police houses will be some of the issues awaiting the new top cop.
Perennial vices such as corruption in the police service, human rights abuses by the police are issues awaiting the new chief.
The candidate will be required to work with other state agencies such as EACC in stamping out corruption in the service. The new police chief will also have to balance between public safety and human rights.
The police have continuously come under the public spotlight over allegations of torture and forceful disappearances of suspects.
Critical will be the 2022 elections. The police play a critical role in ensuring law and order during elections.
The new IG will serve for a four-year term and will oversee the General Election. This will be a critical role considering the 10 year- election violence cycle that has characterised the polls.
