Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja has enacted major reforms to the National Police Service by publishing new Standing Orders in a special Kenya Gazette on July 30, 2026. These changes replace Chapter Seven of the previous Standing Orders, reorganising the structure and command of the Kenya Police Service (KPS), Administration Police Service (APS), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Expanded Authority for the Inspector-General

The revised Standing Orders grant the IG the power to create, merge, or dissolve police formations, units, and components with written approval. Additionally, the IG must issue written directives to resolve jurisdictional disputes between different formations or investigative units, aiming to enhance coordination within the service.

Reorganisation of Police Services

  • Kenya Police Service: Under Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat, KPS now includes specialized units such as the General Service Unit, Traffic Unit, Presidential Escort Unit, Airports Police Unit, Railways and Ports Police Unit, K9 Unit, Nairobi Metropolitan Police, Diplomatic Police, Tourist Police, Marine Police, Quick Response Unit, and Government Vehicle Check Unit.
  • Administration Police Service: Led by DIG Gilbert Masengeli, APS retains its specialized units including the Border Police, Anti-Stock Theft Police, Critical Infrastructure Police, Judiciary Police, Energy Police, Mining Police, Water Police, and National Government Administration Police Unit.
  • Directorate of Criminal Investigations: Directed by Amin Mohamed, the DCI has undergone significant restructuring. Its mandate now covers the Counter-Terrorism Bureau, National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau, Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, Forensic Laboratory, Airports Criminal Investigations, and Railways and Ports Criminal Investigations. The DCI also has authority, in consultation with the IG, to establish internal command structures and reorganize specialized units to boost operational efficiency.

Unified Training and Operational Guidelines

The reforms consolidate all police training institutions under a unified National Police Service training system. All operational guidelines and standard operating procedures across formations and investigative commands require the IG's formal approval before implementation.

The government states these reforms aim to improve operational management, clarify command roles, and strengthen coordination within the police service nationwide.