NAIROBI, Kenya — Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja has established four new specialized police units under sweeping reforms aimed at restructuring the National Police Service (NPS) to enhance efficiency, coordination and operational effectiveness.
The changes are contained in the newly gazetted National Police Service Standing (Amendment) Orders, 2026, published through Legal Notice No. 138 in the Kenya Gazette on July 30.
The reforms introduce four new units within the National Police Service:
- Judiciary Police Unit
- Quick Response Unit
- Kenya Police Marine
- Government Vehicle Check Unit
In a statement, the National Police Service said the reorganization forms part of ongoing reforms intended to strengthen the Service’s institutional capacity and improve service delivery.
“The National Police Service has introduced a new organizational structure following the publication of the National Police Service Standing (Amendment) Orders, 2026. The changes form part of ongoing police reforms aimed at reorganizing the Service to improve efficiency, coordination, accountability and operational effectiveness,” the Service said.
Expanded Powers for the Inspector-General
The amended Standing Orders also grant the Inspector-General broader authority over the organization and management of the National Police Service.
Under the new framework, the Inspector-General will have exclusive powers to establish, reorganize, merge, vary or abolish police formations, units and components at the national level.
The regulations further empower the Inspector-General to issue written directives to the Deputy Inspectors-General and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to integrate or restructure police formations, investigative commands, bureaus and other operational components whenever necessary.
Additionally, the Inspector-General has been given authority to issue binding written directions to resolve disputes involving overlapping mandates among various police formations, units and investigative commands.
New Framework Replaces 2017 Standing Orders
The amendments repeal Chapter 7 of the National Police Service Standing Orders, 2017, replacing it with a new governance framework for the establishment, organization and management of police formations and specialized units.
Under the revised regulations, all police formations, units, bureaus and investigative commands are required to operate in compliance with the Constitution, the National Police Service Act and other applicable laws.
According to the National Police Service, the reforms are intended to build a more responsive, accountable and better-coordinated police service capable of addressing evolving security challenges across the country.
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