NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Police Service is set to receive 2,232 new vehicles within the next three months as the government moves to address longstanding mobility challenges, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said.
Murkomen said the government had already replaced 1,175 police vehicles over the past year, while another 1,200 electric vehicles are expected to be delivered by the end of 2026.
He spoke on Friday during the GSU passing-out parade at the National Police College Embakasi “B” Campus, where he outlined reforms being implemented across the security sector.
Police fleet overhaul
Murkomen said improving police mobility remained a priority, describing the replacement of the ageing fleet as an ambitious programme aimed at strengthening operational capacity.
“On the mobility front, which remains a critical part of our policing service, and to address historical mobility challenges, we have embarked on an ambitious programme to replace the old fleet,” Murkomen said.
He said 1,175 vehicles had been replaced in the previous year, with a further 2,232 scheduled for replacement within three months.
The CS added that 1,200 electric vehicles being acquired under President William Ruto’s directive were expected by the end of the year.
Government expands community policing
Murkomen also highlighted the Jukwaa la Usalama initiative, which he said had been expanded to strengthen community participation in security management.
He said the government had toured all 47 counties to gather views on security and service delivery challenges before institutionalising the initiative as a framework for managing security at the local level.
County security committees have been directed to involve communities, including motorcycle taxi operators, religious leaders, business people and young people, in security management.
“In areas where this has been implemented, we have witnessed a significant security improvement,” Murkomen said.
He argued that security was better managed through a bottom-up approach in which communities participate alongside security managers.
Anti-narcotics unit revamped
The Interior CS said the government had also revitalised the anti-narcotics unit following a directive from President Ruto.
According to Murkomen, the unit has been transformed into a national anti-narcotics investigations bureau, with 208 additional officers recruited.
Vehicles are also being procured to strengthen the bureau’s operations, he said.
Murkomen added that the changes had been accompanied by operations targeting drug trafficking and illicit alcohol.
He said the operations had resulted in the arrest of alleged drug traffickers as well as suppliers, brewers and sellers of illicit alcohol.
700 National Police Reservists recruited
Murkomen said reforms were also targeting the management and welfare of National Police Reservists (NPRs).
A new human resource management system has been introduced to account for reservists and ensure they are paid, trained and supervised, he said.
The government has recruited 700 additional NPRs, who are currently undergoing training at a centre in Meru County. Their graduation is scheduled for next week, according to the CS.
“NPR allowances are now being paid promptly while we are working to enrol them in SHA, and their kitting is underway under the NYS,” he said.
Police training curriculum revised
Murkomen said the government had revised the police training curriculum to incorporate human rights, constitutionalism, the rule of law and community policing.
He said five regional training centres had been upgraded and refurbished, while field training campuses had been established in Isiolo and Magadi.
The National Police College’s main campus at Kiganjo is also being positioned to play a greater role in professional policing education, he said.
More than 4,000 officers promoted
The reforms have also included changes to police promotions, with Murkomen saying more than 4,000 officers had been promoted on merit.
He said the government had enhanced the authority to incur expenditure (AIEs) for police stations and sub-county headquarters.
According to Murkomen, the arrangement covers 1,277 police stations and 408 sub-county headquarters, while regional police headquarters are also receiving AIEs.
The National Government Administration Police Unit has also been operationalised, and its officers strengthened, he added.
Police recruitment and training expanded
The measures come as the National Police Service continues to expand recruitment and training.
More than 6,000 newly trained officers completed training during a passing-out parade at Kiganjo in August, while additional recruits have since completed training at other police campuses.
Murkomen said the government would continue providing resources to the Service as it seeks to strengthen security operations and improve service delivery.
“Our police officers continue to put their lives on the line in protecting our fellow citizens, and some serve unnoticed in remote corners of our country,” he said.
