19,000-Strong Police Unit Revives Chiefs’ Control Over Local Security

Kenya has launched the National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU), a significant shift in its security strategy to bolster law enforcement capabilities at the grassroots level. 

The initiative, announced earlier this year, effectively reverses a 2018 policy that decoupled National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) from direct control over police personnel, a move that had limited their capacity to address local security challenges effectively. The revamped structure equips chiefs and other administrative officers with dedicated police support, fostering enhanced coordination between law enforcement and government representatives. 

Under the new arrangement, officers within NGAPU will work closely with local administrators to maintain public order and address a range of security concerns. The restructuring follows a directive from President William Ruto, who identified the lack of police support for NGAOs as a critical impediment to effective law enforcement. 

The initial rollout involved the deployment of 6,000 officers drawn from the Administration Police, with plans to expand the unit to 19,000 personnel through a two-phase recruitment drive targeting an additional 13,000 officers. This expansion, as outlined by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, seeks to ensure equitable distribution of officers across Kenya’s regions, aligned with administrative divisions.

According to allocation plans, the Rift Valley region, comprising 249 divisions, will receive the largest contingent, with 4,980 officers. Eastern region is slated to receive 4,060 officers, followed by Nyanza with 2,720, Central with 2,600, Western with 1,800, North Eastern with 1,540, Coast with 1,440, and Nairobi securing 600 officers.

At the helm of NGAPU is Assistant Inspector-General Charles Mutuma, a veteran officer within the Administration Police ranks. Mutuma is responsible for overseeing the unit’s operations and ensuring its integration within the broader police structure, reporting directly to the Deputy Inspector-General of the Administration Police.

NGAPU’s mandate extends beyond traditional policing duties. The unit is tasked with combating outlawed gangs, enforcing government regulations, and supporting the fight against sexual and gender-based violence. It will also play a key role in addressing the pervasive issues of illicit alcohol production and narcotics trafficking, which have long plagued many communities.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen emphasizes the importance of NGAPU in strengthening Kenya’s security apparatus. He cites instances where local chiefs struggled to address security concerns due to the absence of dedicated police backing, asserting that the new unit would empower administrators to take decisive action in maintaining law and order. The government also intends to integrate National Police Reservists into NGAPU operations.