By Robert Mutasi 
Residents of Eldoret on Thursday bade farewell to outgoing Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi following his promotion to the powerful position of national Traffic Commandant in the latest police reshuffle announced by the National Police Service.
The event, attended by local leaders, security officials, religious leaders and residents, marked the end of Mwanthi’s six-year tenure as the county’s top police officer — a period many credited with improved security, stronger community policing and reduced crime levels across the county.
Taking over from Mwanthi is Wilberforce Sicharani, who previously served as the Gigiri subcounty police commander in Nairobi. Leaders in the county welcomed the new commander and pledged cooperation as he assumes office at a time when the government is implementing widespread administrative and security changes ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Mwanthi, who assumed office in 2020 after replacing Frederick Ochieng, thanked the National Police Service for entrusting him with another senior role within the service.
“I am grateful for being given another opportunity to serve Kenyans in another capacity. I thank God and the National Police Service for the great honour,” Mwanthi said during the emotional farewell ceremony.
During his leadership in Uasin Gishu, Mwanthi became widely known for championing community policing and building close working relationships between police officers and residents.
Security stakeholders say the approach significantly helped in reducing criminal activities, especially in urban centres within Eldoret and surrounding areas.
County Commissioner Edison Nyale praised Mwanthi’s dedication and described him as a disciplined and committed officer who worked tirelessly to improve security in the region.
“We have worked very well together and we wish him success in his new assignment,” Nyale said.
Religious leaders also praised the outgoing commander for promoting dialogue and cooperation between security agencies and local communities. Muslim cleric Abubakar Bini noted that Mwanthi’s willingness to engage residents contributed greatly to peace and stability in the county.
“Mwanthi and his team worked closely with communities and various groups in the region, which contributed greatly to improved security for residents,” Bini said.
The change of leadership comes amid a major reshuffle within the police service announced by Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat. The changes affected several senior officers across the country as the government moves to strengthen security structures ahead of next year’s anticipated political activities.
In the reshuffle, Central Regional Police Commander Jasper Ombati was recalled to Vigilance House and replaced by Railway Police boss Geoffrey Maiyek. Senior officer John Chebii, who recently returned from the Haiti peacekeeping mission under the General Service Unit, was appointed Eastern Regional Police Commander, replacing Hillary Birgen.
Security experts believe the transfers are part of broader government efforts to reorganise security agencies in preparation for increased political activity and national operations in the coming months.
The police reshuffle also comes just days after the government announced changes affecting regional and county administrators, including the appointment of new regional commissioners in Eastern, Nyanza and Western regions.
For residents of Eldoret and the larger Uasin Gishu County, Mwanthi’s exit marks the end of a significant chapter in local policing. Many now hope incoming commander Sicharani will maintain the strong cooperation between police and residents that has defined security operations in the county over the last several years.
Leaders who attended the ceremony urged residents to continue supporting security agencies through information sharing and community policing initiatives to sustain peace and stability in the fast-growing North Rift region.