The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has been vested with enhanced powers to reorganise, merge, and establish police formations within the National Police Service (NPS), following the publication of significant amendments to the National Police Service Standing Orders.

These changes, formalised through Legal Notice No. 138 in the Kenya Gazette on July 30, 2026, strengthen the Inspector General’s control over the structure and management of the police service as part of ongoing reforms aimed at modernising policing in Kenya.

Expanded Authority over Police Formations

The amendments repeal the existing Chapter Seven of the 2017 Standing Orders and introduce a new framework that requires the Inspector General to organise the NPS into formations, units, and components at the national level. No formation or unit can be created, altered, or disbanded without the Inspector General’s approval.

Moreover, the Inspector General is empowered to issue directives to the Deputy Inspectors-General and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to merge or reorganise police units and specialised commands when necessary. The new regulations also grant the authority to resolve disputes over the mandates of different police formations through written instructions.

Introduction of Five New Specialised Units

In line with the reforms, the National Police Service has launched five specialised operational units designed to improve coordination and responsiveness. These units include:

  • Nairobi Metropolitan Police
  • Judiciary Police Unit
  • Quick Response Unit
  • Kenya Police Marine Unit
  • Government Vehicle Check Unit

The restructuring aims to enhance operational efficiency, accountability, and the capacity to address emerging security challenges.

Context of Ongoing Police Modernisation

These reforms build on previous efforts under the 2010 Constitution and the National Police Service Act to professionalise policing and clarify command structures across the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

The Inspector General’s office, established as an independent command entity, is mandated to ensure the NPS operates within constitutional and legal frameworks while maintaining operational autonomy.

Focus on Efficiency and Coordination

By centralising authority over police formation management, the reforms seek to eliminate overlapping functions, improve coordination, and enable swift adaptation to security threats. The new legal framework also standardises operational procedures and provides mechanisms to resolve institutional conflicts.

The amendments took effect immediately upon publication and will guide future restructuring efforts as part of Kenya’s broader security sector reforms.