Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja has been granted broad new powers to reorganise Kenya's police service after gazetting changes that overhaul the structure and command of the National Police Service (NPS).

The reforms, published in a special issue of the Kenya Gazette on July 30, repeal Chapter Seven of the National Police Service Standing Orders and replace it with a new framework governing the organisation and operations of the Kenya Police Service (KPS), the Administration Police Service (APS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

At the heart of the changes is a provision giving the Inspector-General authority to establish, merge or abolish police formations, units and other operational components. Any such changes must be approved by the Inspector-General and issued in writing.

The revised Standing Orders also require the Inspector-General to issue written directions whenever disputes arise over the responsibilities of police formations, investigative commands or specialised units, with the aim of improving coordination across the service.

In addition, all operational guidelines and standard operating procedures for police formations, bureaus, investigative commands and specialised units will require the Inspector-General's approval before taking effect.

Kenya Police Structure Updated

Under the new framework, the Kenya Police Service, led by Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat, will continue operating through a range of specialised formations.

These include the General Service Unit (GSU), Traffic Police Unit, Presidential Escort Unit, Kenya Airports Police Unit, Kenya Railways and Ports Police Unit, K9 Police Unit, Nairobi Metropolitan Police, Diplomatic Police Unit, Tourist Police Unit, Marine Police Unit, Quick Response Unit and the Government Vehicle Check Unit.

Administration Police Retains Specialised Units

The Administration Police Service, headed by Deputy Inspector-General Gilbert Masengeli, will continue to oversee specialised formations including the Border Police Unit, Anti-Stock Theft Police Unit and Critical Infrastructure Police Unit.

Other units retained under the APS include the Judiciary Police Unit, Energy Police Unit, Mining Police Unit, Water Police Unit and the National Government Administration Police Unit.

DCI Gains Greater Organisational Flexibility

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations, under Director Mohamed Amin, has also been reorganised.

Its structure will continue to include the Counter-Terrorism Bureau, National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau, Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, National Police Service Forensic Laboratory, Kenya Airports Criminal Investigations and Kenya Railways and Ports Criminal Investigations, among other specialised units.

The new Standing Orders also give the DCI authority, in consultation with the Inspector-General, to establish command structures, deploy investigative formations and reorganise specialised units, sections and desks to improve operational efficiency.

The reforms further place police training institutions under a more unified National Police Service training framework, with all formations expected to operate under approved policies, operational guidelines and standard operating procedures.

According to the government, the revised Standing Orders are intended to strengthen coordination across the National Police Service, clarify lines of command and improve the management of police operations as the service responds to evolving security challenges.