Governor Johnson Sakaja has unveiled plans to establish a specialised Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit by training 2,500 officers from the Nairobi County Inspectorate and the National Police Service.
Speaking at St. Austin’s Church in Westlands, Sakaja emphasized the need to shift policing in Nairobi from traffic enforcement to enhanced security patrols and rapid response, addressing the unique challenges of a city with over seven million daily residents.
Key Elements of the Initiative
- Training: The selected officers will undergo rigorous training tailored to Nairobi’s security needs.
- Headquarters: Kamukunji Police Station will be renovated and expanded to serve as the unit’s command centre.
- Surveillance Upgrade: An integrated CCTV network linked to a new Traffic Management Centre at City Cabanas on Mombasa Road will be launched.
- Technology Integration: The digital command centre will incorporate AI-powered monitoring and connect with private sector cameras to enhance crime detection and emergency response.
Sakaja noted that the initiative is part of a broader Cooperation Agreement between the National and County governments aimed at modernising Nairobi’s security infrastructure.
He also revealed that he and the Interior Cabinet Secretary visited New York and London to study metropolitan policing models, intending to apply best practices to Nairobi’s security framework.
