KWALE, Kenya – A new police unit, the National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU), has been launched to enhance security and governance in villages across the country.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen unveiled the unit on Friday, January 24, during a ceremony in Kwale County.
The NGAPU, operating under the Administration Police Service (APS), aims to assist chiefs in maintaining law and order within their jurisdictions.
Speaking at the event, Murkomen, alongside Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, also introduced the Administration Police Service Roadmap to Service Delivery Revitalization (2025-2028).
This initiative builds on plans first announced in 2022 by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who outlined a vision to allocate five police officers to every chief in Kenya.
This allocation will cover the 3,950 chiefs and 9,043 assistant chiefs nationwide, bolstering their ability to enforce laws and manage security.
“We are working towards reorganizing ourselves between the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and the police to ensure, as it was before, that every chief has police officers attached to them to enable them to enforce law and order,” Kindiki said.
He emphasized that the changes aim to empower local administrators while avoiding a return to the days of overly authoritative chiefs.
The primary functions of the newly established unit include supporting NGAOs in maintaining security and law enforcement.
According to a government draft, NGAPU officers will provide security during high-risk operations, such as resolving land disputes, enforcing regulations, and combating alcohol and drug abuse.
The unit is also tasked with providing security for public functions like barazas, assisting in peace-building initiatives, and collaborating with other law enforcement agencies during coordinated operations.
Additionally, NGAPU will ensure compliance with public safety directives and provide protective security to government premises.
The NGAPU headquarters is based in Nairobi, with regional formations established across counties, sub-counties, divisions, and local levels.
The launch of NGAPU is part of broader reforms within the APS, which includes specialized units such as the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, Border Patrol Unit, Rapid Deployment Unit, and the Camel Unit.
These teams, along with the newly formed NGAPU, are under the direct command of the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, reporting to the Inspector General of Police.
Murkomen stated that these reforms align with the government’s commitment to revitalizing security service delivery and improving governance in rural areas.
“We are injecting competence and ensuring administrators operate with clear service charters and work plans to remain accountable and effective,” he said.
