IG Douglas Kanja Announces Major Changes in Police Service Operations
2 min read
Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja has introduced major changes to the National Police Service (NPS) through a new Kenya Gazette notice published on July 30.
The changes replace the previous police standing orders with a new framework that will guide how the Kenya Police Service (KPS), Administration Police Service (APS), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are organised and managed.
Under the new rules, the Inspector-General now has the authority to create, merge, rename or abolish police units and formations. Any changes must be approved in writing by the IG.
The new framework also requires the Inspector-General to issue written directions whenever there is confusion over the roles of different police units to improve coordination and avoid conflicts.
In addition, all police operational guidelines and standard operating procedures must now receive approval from the Inspector-General before they are implemented.
Kenya Police Service Units
The Kenya Police Service, led by Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat, will continue operating with several specialised units, including:
- General Service Unit (GSU)
- Traffic Police Unit
- Presidential Escort Unit (PEU)
- Kenya Airports Police Unit (KAPU)
- Kenya Railways and Ports Police Unit
- K9 Police Unit
- Nairobi Metropolitan Police
- Diplomatic Police Unit
- Tourist Police Unit
- Marine Police Unit
- Quick Response Unit
- Government Vehicle Check Unit
Administration Police Units
The Administration Police Service, headed by Deputy Inspector-General Gilbert Masengeli, will continue with specialised units that include:
- Border Police Unit (BPU)
- Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU)
- Critical Infrastructure Police Unit (CIPU)
- Judiciary Police Unit
- Energy Police Unit
- Mining Police Unit
- Water Police Unit
- National Government Administration Police Unit
Changes at the DCI
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), led by Director General Amin Mohamed, has also been reorganised.
Its key investigative units include:
- Counter-Terrorism Bureau
- National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau
- Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau
- NPS Forensic Laboratory
- Kenya Airports Criminal Investigations
- Kenya Railways and Ports Criminal Investigations
The new rules also allow the DCI, in consultation with the Inspector-General, to reorganise investigative units, create command structures and deploy officers where needed to improve investigations.
Police Training
The reforms also place all police training institutions under one National Police Service training system. All police formations will be required to follow approved policies and operational procedures.
According to the government, the new changes are aimed at improving coordination, strengthening command structures and making police operations more effective across the country.
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