Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has revealed plans to train 2,500 officers from both the Nairobi County Inspectorate and the National Police Service to form the new Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit. This specialized unit aims to bolster security across the capital by addressing its unique urban challenges.

Speaking after a church service in Westlands, Sakaja emphasized the need for a policing model tailored to Nairobi's daytime population, which exceeds seven million. He noted that the current focus on traffic management is insufficient for the city’s broader security demands.

New Security Framework

  • The officers will undergo intensive training to shift their focus from primarily traffic duties to comprehensive public safety patrols and rapid emergency responses.
  • The initiative is part of a Cooperation Agreement signed in February between the National and County governments, backed by an Ksh80 billion budget to align resources and responsibilities.
  • Kamukunji Police Station has been designated as the new headquarters for the unit and will be renovated to support its expanded role.

Technology and Surveillance Enhancements

Sakaja also announced the rollout of a citywide CCTV surveillance network integrated with a new Traffic Management Center at City Cabanas along Mombasa Road. This center will serve as Nairobi’s digital nerve hub, combining AI-powered surveillance, real-time police monitoring, and automated traffic enforcement systems.

Private CCTV cameras from businesses and institutions will be linked to the central system, broadening the surveillance coverage and improving incident response times.

International Benchmarking

To design the new policing model, Governor Sakaja and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Mukomen visited New York and London to study their metropolitan policing systems. Lessons from these cities are guiding Nairobi’s security reforms.

Governor Sakaja described security as a critical issue for modern cities and framed the new unit as a collaborative effort between the National and County governments to enhance safety in Kenya’s capital.