By The Weekly Vision Reporter
The National Police Service (NPS) has unveiled one of its most significant organisational reforms in recent years, following the publication of the National Police Service Standing (Amendment) Orders, 2026, introducing a new command structure, creating specialised police formations, and strengthening the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The amendments, published in Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 189 (Legislative Supplement No. 107), Legal Notice No. 138, on July 30, 2026, were signed by Inspector-General Douglas Kanja Kirocho on July 27, 2026.
The new Standing Orders repeal the previous Chapter Seven of the National Police Service Standing Orders and replace it with a comprehensive framework governing the organisation, command, deployment and responsibilities of police formations across the country. Under the new regulations, the Inspector-General is empowered to organise the National Police Service into formations, units and components at the national level.
The Inspector-General may also establish, merge, reorganise or abolish police formations, investigative commands, bureaux and components through written directives. Where conflicts arise between the mandates of different units, the Inspector-General holds final authority to resolve them through written instructions, and is required to approve all operational guidelines and standard operating procedures in writing, with directives made available to all officers.
Four Operational Pillars
The amendments formally organise the National Police Service into four principal operational pillars: the Office of the Inspector-General, the Kenya Police Service, the Administration Police Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Each pillar has its own command structure, operational responsibilities and deployment framework.
The Kenya Police Service will comprise several specialised units, including the General Service Unit (GSU), Kenya Police Traffic Unit, Presidential Escort Unit, Kenya Airports Police Unit, Kenya Railways and Ports Police Unit, K9 Police Unit, Nairobi Metropolitan Police, Diplomatic Police Unit, Tourist Police Unit, Kenya Police Marine Unit, Kenya Police Quick Response Unit, and Government Vehicle Check Unit. The Deputy Inspector-General in charge of the Kenya Police Service will determine the command structure, deployment and distribution of these formations in consultation with the Inspector-General. All units are required to implement national policing policies, coordinate security operations, facilitate oversight mechanisms and operate strictly under approved operational guidelines.
The Administration Police Service also undergoes significant restructuring, with new or reorganised units including the Security of Government Buildings and Very Important Persons Protection Unit, Rapid Deployment Police Unit, Border Police Unit, Anti-Stock Theft Police Unit, Critical Infrastructure Police Unit, Judiciary Police Unit, Energy Police Unit, Mining Police Unit, Water Police Unit, and National Government Administration Police Unit. The Deputy Inspector-General in charge of the Administration Police Service will oversee command structures, deployment and issuance of operational orders.
DCI Gets Expanded Mandate
The reforms significantly enhance the structure of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. DCI formations will include DCI Headquarters, the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory, the Counter-Terrorism Bureau, the National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau, the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, Kenya Airports Criminal Investigations, and Kenya Railways and Ports Criminal Investigations.
The amendments further establish dedicated investigative commands responsible for forensic and specialised criminal investigations, comprising:
- Investigations Bureau
- Operations Bureau
- National Police Service Forensic Laboratory
- Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau
- Counter-Terrorism Bureau
- Homicide Investigations Bureau
- National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau
- INTERPOL National Central Bureau
- Kenya Airports Criminal Investigations
- Kenya Railways and Ports Criminal Investigations
The Director of Criminal Investigations is empowered to establish specialised units, sub-units, sections and desks, and may merge or reorganise them whenever operational efficiency demands.
Greater Deployment Flexibility
The amendments grant police leadership greater flexibility in deploying personnel and resources nationwide. Both Deputy Inspectors-General and the Director of Criminal Investigations are authorised to determine deployment of formations according to operational needs, taking into account personnel strength, rank structure and functional requirements. Command structures will now be determined based on operational responsibilities rather than merely administrative hierarchy.
The Internal Affairs Unit remains an independent component of the National Police Service, with its establishment, command and functions continuing under Chapter Five and Appendix 5A of the Service Standing Orders.
The amendments also emphasise standardisation of police operations by requiring written operational guidelines, uniform command procedures and structured training systems across all formations. Training institutions for the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service and DCI will continue operating under the National Police Service’s training policy and development framework.
Security analysts say the reforms are aimed at modernising the NPS by creating clearer command structures, enhancing specialised policing capabilities, and improving coordination across the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service and DCI. The expanded list of specialist units reflects emerging security priorities, including protection of critical infrastructure, border security, counter-terrorism, forensic investigations, energy security, mining, water resources and VIP protection.
With the amendments now in force, the Inspector-General holds broad statutory authority to reorganise police formations in response to evolving security threats, a shift expected to make the National Police Service more agile in addressing Kenya’s increasingly complex security environment.
