Uhuru nominates Maj-Gen Kameru as spy chief

President Uhuru Kenyatta has nominated Major-General Philip Wachira Kameru to head the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi made the disclosure to Members of Parliament on Thursday as he passed the message from the President.

Parliament’s Defence and Foreign Relations Committee will vet the nominee within 14 days and present a report to Parliament.

Maj-Gen Philip Wachira Kameru’s nomination follows last week’s resignation of Major-General Michael Gichangi.

NIS and other security agencies have been on the spot following attacks in various parts of the country, starting with the Westgate mall attack in September last year to the recent Lamu attacks, where security officers were accused of laxity.

Although the top office holder at the spy agency office has the security of tenure, his appointment is deemed political given that he must be someone who has the confidence of the President.

The spy chief is the President’s chief adviser on national security.

nation.co.ke