Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja has announced major changes to the National Police Service (NPS) Standing Orders, introducing a new legal framework that restructures the organisation, command and operations of police formations nationwide.
The changes, published in a special issue of the Kenya Gazette on July 30, revoke the current Chapter Seven of the National Police Service Standing Orders and replace it with a revised framework governing the Kenya Police Service (KPS), Administration Police Service (APS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Under the revised Standing Orders, the Inspector-General has the authority to create, merge or disband police formations, units and components, provided the decisions are approved by the IG and communicated in writing.
The new framework also requires the Inspector-General to issue written directives whenever disputes emerge over the roles of different police formations, units or investigative commands to strengthen coordination across the service.
In addition, all operational guidelines and standard operating procedures for police formations, units, bureaus, investigative commands and other NPS components must now receive the Inspector-General's approval.
Kenya Police
Under the revised Standing Orders, the Kenya Police Service (KPS), led by Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat, will comprise the General Service Unit (GSU), Kenya Police Traffic Unit, Presidential Escort Unit and the Kenya Airports Police Unit.
The service will also include the 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
The Administration Police Service (APS), under Deputy Inspector-General Gilbert Masengeli, will retain its specialised formations, including the Border Police Unit (BPU), Anti-Stock Theft Police Unit (ASTU) and the Critical Infrastructure Police Unit (CIPU).
Other APS formations will include the Judiciary Police Unit, Energy Police Unit, Mining Police Unit, Water Police Unit and the National Government Administration Police Unit.
DCI
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), headed by Director-General Amin Mohamed, has also been reorganised to incorporate specialised investigative units such as the Counter-Terrorism Bureau, National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau, Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, NPS Forensic Laboratory, Kenya Airports Criminal Investigations and Kenya Railways and Ports Criminal Investigations.
The revised framework further authorises the DCI, in consultation with the Inspector-General, to establish command structures, oversee the deployment of investigative formations and reorganise specialised units, sub-units, sections and desks to enhance operational efficiency.
The amendments also place all police training institutions under a unified National Police Service training system, with every formation required to operate in line with approved policies, operational guidelines and standard operating procedures.
According to the government, the reforms are aimed at enhancing coordination across the service, streamlining command structures and improving the management of police operations.
