Kenya police service overhaul

In late July 2026 the Inspector‑General of Police Douglas Kanja issued amendments to the National Police Service Standing Orders, giving the IG authority to create, merge or abolish police formations and to issue written directions to resolve functional conflicts. The reforms introduced a suite of new specialised units—including the Nairobi Metropolitan Police, Judiciary Police Unit, Quick Response Unit and Kenya Police Marine Unit—while retaining existing formations such as the General Service Unit and Counter‑Terrorism Bureau. President William Ruto directed the Nairobi Metropolitan Police to adopt a modern, technology‑driven model for the capital.

A few days later, on 4 August, the revised organisational framework was published in the Kenya Subsidiary Legislation 2026, outlining 13 specialised formations and locating the service headquarters at Vigilance House and Jogoo House B in Nairobi. The framework confirmed the retention of long‑standing units and the newly created Nairobi Metropolitan Police. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced the deployment of 200 newly trained anti‑narcotics officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ National Anti‑Narcotics Investigations Bureau to counties across Kenya, in line with the President’s directive to strengthen drug‑enforcement capabilities.