DIRECTOR/CEO
MR. ELEMA HALAKE, SS
Mr. Elema Halake holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies, a Diploma in Wildlife Management, an Advanced Diploma in Social Work and a postgraduate Diploma Certificate in criminal justice from Virginia University, USA.
His Public Service career spans over 28 years including at Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), where he was a Senior Assistant Director and also sat on the Board of the Kenya School of Leadership and Adventure at Mt. Kenya. At KWS, he was part of the leadership that fronted the 1990’s anti-poaching strategy that stabilized wildlife conservation, enhanced security, and management.
Earlier, as IPOA’s Director of Investigations, Mr. Halake initiated a series of administrative and operational reforms, expanded the investigation capacity, enhanced performance and contributed towards decentralised regional operations.
At Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), he spearheaded legal and regulatory reforms including the enactment of the Anti-Counterfeit Act 2018, developed and deployed the AIMS project (Anti-Counterfeit Information Management system) and launched a National baseline survey on the magnitude of counterfeiting and illicit trade in Kenya.
Mr. Halake continues to be an invaluable focal point for the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) South-Africa, Interpol, Lusaka Agreement Taskforce, Cross border security collaboration framework with sister agencies, National Multi-agency against illicit trade and host of other sister local law enforcement agencies.
In various capacities he has represented Kenya as part of delegations to various National, Regional and International conferences and fora including CITES, Trade negotiations Agreements (FTA’s), Lusaka Agreement, East Africa’s Cross Border Environmental forums besides the National Collaborations and Cooperation with key State and non-state actors and development partners.
These efforts have seen him gain global exposure having traveled for work, training and conferences in Africa, Europe, the USA, Brazil, parts of Asia and Israel among others.
His integrity and high-performance track record in Public Service saw him recognized and decorated with the Silver Star (SS) of Kenya by his Excellency, the President of the Republic of Kenya in 2006, with a citation for courage and commitment to duty.
DIRECTOR, INSPECTIONS AND MONITORING
MUNENE M. MUGAMBI, MSC, OPSA, CFE, RCRIM.
Munene holds a Master of Science in Governance, Peace & Security Studies, Bachelors in Criminology and Security Studies and a Diploma in Forensic Criminology. He is also a Certified Fraud Examiner. He has also undertaken several investigations and security related courses.
He is also a trained paramilitary Police having served with GSU, served as a detective at the DCI HQs Investigations Bureau between 2012 and 2017 as he rose through the ranks. He was also a travelling trainer at Kenya Police College and later Head of County Criminal Intelligence before joining IPOA in 2018 where he rapidly rose through the ranks to become the current Director of Inspections, Research and Monitoring. He garnered wide experience as a Criminal Detective with a specialty on crime intelligence.
While serving as a DCI Officer, he was awarded the distinguished Outstanding Police Service Award (OPSA) in 2016.
Munene was credited for the conceptualization and founding of the Professional Criminologists Association Of Kenya (PCAK) and the Kenya Professional Society of Criminology (KEPSOC) where he also served as the founding Chairman and Patron respectively. He is also Patron of the PCAK Youth Criminologists Association, PYE in East Africa.
He serves on several school boards and also steadfastly supports community service initiatives.
DIRECTOR, INVESTIGATIONS
EMMANUEL LAGAT
HEAD, DIRECTORATE ON INSPECTION, RESEARCH AND MONITORING.
Lt. Col. (Rtd.) Catherine Gichuki
Lt. Col. (Rtd.) Catherine Gichuki holds a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, Masters of Arts in International Conflict Management from the University of Nairobi, Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB Hons.) from Moi University, a postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies from the Kenya School of Law, a Certificate in Public International Law from the Hague Academy of International Law, a Certificate in Introduction to Arbitration from the Kenya Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, a Certificate in Foundation Course in International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), a Certificate in Introduction to Mediation and the 40 hours Mediation Course from the National Centre for International Arbitration amongst other professional, United Nations courses and academic training.
Catherine is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya of over 18 years and is a retired military officer with vast expertise in international law, peace and security. Her career spans National and International organizations including the Kenya Defence Force (KDF) where she worked as a Legal Officer and military prosecutor for 13 years and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Under secondment from the KDF, she also served for one year at the United Nations as a military staff officer (UN Peace Keeper) under the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in the Republic of the Sudan. Lt. Col. (Rtd.) Catherine Gichuki also served at the United Nations as a Legal Officer in the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). She was later appointed as the Head of Legal for the UNAMID Liquidation Team where she served until 31 March 2022.
Lt. Col. (Rtd.) Catherine Gichuki is a Member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Member of Chevening Scholarship Alumni – Kenya Chapter, Member of the Federation of Women Lawyers Kenya Chapter FIDA-K, East African Law Society and Association of Corporate and Industrial Security Management Professionals (ACISMP). She is actively involved in community service in the areas of career youth mentorship and the empowerment of women and children.
HEAD, ICT
KENNEDY OCHIENG NDIRE
Kennedy Ndire has vast experience in enterprise systems and network design and implementation, Data Centre Setup and management, ERP systems (SAP, Oracle Siebel CRM and Translogic) and CRM systems (Microsoft Dynamics CRM) design and rollout, user training, project management, policing and strategic management. He holds Master’s Degree in Computer Science Distributed Computing Technologies from The university of Nairobi and Bachelor Degree in Business Information Technology from Strathmore University. He has wide spread professional trainings in the expanse of ICT. He has previously worked in various positions with Kenya Railways, Rift Valley Railways, Independent Policing Oversight Authority and at Huduma Kenya Secretariat among others.
HEAD, COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH
DENNIS DANSON OKETCH, MKIM, MPRSK
HEAD, SECURITY SERVICES
MAJOR BENSON MILAO, MBA, BSC, BCOM, LLB (CAND.), DIP.CSMP®, M. ISMI®, M. ACISMP
Major Benson Milao (Rtd) holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nairobi, a Bachelor of Science (BSC) in Military Science from Egerton University, a Bachelor of Commerce (BCOM) from the University of Nairobi, Level 6 Organization Diploma in Security Management from the International Security Management Institute (ISMI), United Kingdom, a final year Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) at the University of Nairobi, amongst other professional, military, United Nations and academic training. Benson has vast knowledge gained from military, corporate, international and private practice. He has over 19 years’ Security, Surveillance, Enforcement, Investigations, Intelligence, Governance, Law and Administration experience having started off as a Cadet Officer at the Kenya Military Academy (KMA), Lanet, Nakuru; and rising to the rank of Major in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). While at the KDF, he served in various positions including; Platoon Commander, Intelligence and Investigations Officer, Aide de Camp (ADC) to the Army Commander and the Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Company Commander, among others. Benson has also served on international assignments including secondment to the United Nations (UN) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) in 2014/2015, where he contributed immensely to Security Sector Reforms (SSR); Disarmament, Demobilization, Repatriation, Reintegration and Resettlement (DDRRR) programs; humanitarian response; human rights issues among others. Major Milao (Rtd) is a Member of of the International Security Management Institute (ISMI), United Kingdom and a member of the Association of Corporate and Industrial Security Management Professionals (ACISMP). He was awarded the UN Peace Keeping Medal (2015), the Constitutional Medal (2013) and Linda Nchi Medal (2013). He is actively involved in security training and consultation as well as empowerment of the vulnerable members of society.
HEAD, HUMAN CAPITAL
DR. LEMUNEN SOLOMON, PhD, CHRP (K)
Dr. Lemunen Solomon has a cumulative experience in Human Resource attained over a period of fifteen years in both the Public Service and Private Sector. Prior to joining IPOA, Dr. Lemunen was employed by the National Industrial Training Authority as Ag. Director Human Resource and Administration. He also worked with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and Kenya Industrial Estate among others. He holds a Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in Human Resource Management from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), a Master of Business Administration (Human Resource option) from Kenyatta University (KU), and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Human Resource option). He also has a Higher National Diploma in Human Resource Management and a Diploma in Personnel Management. He is also a Certified Human Resource of Kenya (CHRP-K).
Dr. Lemunen is a practicing member of the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM).
HEAD, RISK & AUDIT
ENOSH NYABIBA
Enosh Nyabiba has cumulative experience in Auditing over a period of fifteen years which was obtained in the teaching fraternity in the private sector. Prior to joining IPOA, he was employed as a lecturer with KCA University training both Certified Public Accountants and Bachelor of Commerce qualifications. He has taught in other CPA training institutions like Vision Institute of Professionals, Star College of Management Studies, Summit Business School. He is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree (PhD) in Business Administration- Finance from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Finance option from Kenyatta University (KU) and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Accounting option) from KCA University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (ICPAK), Certified Public Secretary (CS), and Certified Credit Professional (CCP). He is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IAA).
HEAD, PROCUREMENT
FREDRICK CHABARI
HEAD, LEGAL SERVICES
FESTUS KINOTI
HEAD, REGIONAL OFFICES
BETHUEL SUGUT
Bethuel previously served in the Provincial Administration at the Office of the President and International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD). Prior to that Sugut served as a Personal Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Director of Administration, Planning and Operations at Mt. Kenya University for 9 years and 5 years respectively. Before joining IPOA, Sugut was the Administration Manager at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC).
He has undertaken various Administrative Programmes with the Kenya School of Government (KSG). He is currently pursuing his PhD in Business Administration with a bias in Strategic Management. He is an Associate member of the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) and Institute of Human Resource Management.