Mathew Iteere’s rise to the helm of Kenya’s police service was as swift as it was unexpected.
In 2009, amid national recovery from the 2007–2008 post-election violence, President Mwai Kibaki replaced Major General (Rtd) Hussein Ali with Iteere, then serving as the GSU Commandant.
His appointment surprised many, given his relatively short tenure at the paramilitary unit and the secrecy surrounding the succession process.
Iteere, an Israel-trained commando, inherited a police force grappling with public mistrust and internal reform pressures. His three-year tenure was marked by mixed fortunes.
While he oversaw key structural changes and attempted to restore discipline within the ranks, his leadership also faced criticism over unresolved security lapses and allegations of corruption within the force.
Nonetheless, he maintained a reputation for professionalism and restraint, avoiding the political entanglements that had plagued some of his predecessors.
In 2012, Iteere handed over the reins to David Mwole Kimaiyo, Kenya’s first Inspector General of Police under the new constitutional dispensation. Since then, Iteere has retreated from public life, maintaining a notably low profile.
His silence has fueled speculation, especially given his intimate knowledge of Kenya’s security apparatus and the sensitive operations he once oversaw.
Thirteen years after his retirement, Mathew Iteere remains a figure of quiet intrigue. Unlike many former top officials who transition into politics or public commentary, Iteere has chosen discretion.
His absence from the limelight suggests a deliberate detachment from the volatile world of Kenyan public affairs—a choice that, while puzzling to some, reflects the discipline of a man shaped by military and paramilitary service.
As Kenya continues to grapple with policing reforms and accountability, Iteere’s legacy offers both lessons and questions. Was his silence a mark of integrity or missed opportunity for mentorship and reform advocacy? Whatever the answer, his tenure remains a pivotal chapter in Kenya’s law enforcement history.
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000073689/mixed-fortunes-mark-iteere-tenure-as-police-boss
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