Kenya Police Service Overhauls Structure with New Specialized Units

Inspector‑General of Police Douglas Kanja gazetted sweeping amendments to the National Police Service Standing Orders, repealing Chapter Seven and introducing a new legal framework that lets the IG establish, merge or abolish police formations, units and components with written approval. The changes also require the IG to issue written directions to resolve functional conflicts and to approve all operational guidelines and standard operating procedures.

Under the new structure the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service and Directorate of Criminal Investigations have been reorganised. New specialised formations include the Nairobi Metropolitan Police, Judiciary Police Unit, Quick Response Unit and Kenya Police Marine Unit, alongside existing units such as the General Service Unit, Traffic Unit, Border Police and Counter‑Terrorism Bureau. President William Ruto directed the creation of the Nairobi Metropolitan Police to provide a modern, technology‑driven policing model for the capital region.