Parliament approves Kainja as IG

Parliament on Wednesday approved the appointment of Dr. George Kainja as new Inspector General (IG) of the Malawi Police Service (MPS).

His confirmation comes few months after being appointed by President Lazarus Chakwera to head the law enforcing agency replacing then Acting IG, Duncan Mwapasa.

There were reservations from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Alliance for Democracy (Afford) who protested that the new IG has demonstrated traits of tribalism, and his doctorate degree is questionable.

But an assessment report presented to the house by Public Appointments Committee recommended the confirmation of Kainja who has served the service for 27 years.

Reacting to the appointment, Homeland Security Minister Richard Chimwendo Banda, expressed gratitude by describing the new IG as capable to reform the Police which has lost public trust.

He said: “All Malawians should be excited because Dr. Kainja is a professional with 27 years of vast experience and he has performed well.”

However, Chimwendo Banda, quashed sentiments by the DPP and Aford parties that Kainja is nepotistic and tribalistic.

Kainja was until his appointment, the Commissioner responsible for Community Policing, Research and Planning.

On June 25, 2020, Kainja obtained a court order restraining then President Peter Mutharika and the Acting IG, Duncan Mwapasa, from sending him to Zimbabwe to work as Deputy High Commissioner.

He had been appointed Malawi’s Deputy Ambassador to Zimbabwe effective June 11 but he challenged the decision arguing that officers below the positions of IG were not entitled to such appointments.

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