The Inspector General of Police, Mr Douglas Kanja, has announced the appointment of Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Charles Mutuma as the Commandant of the newly formed National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU). AIG Mutuma will report directly to the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Administration Police Service (APS).
The NGAPU was established as a specialised unit within the National Police Service to provide critical support to National Government Administration Officers (NGAOS), including Chiefs and their Assistants. Its mandate includes maintaining law and order in administrative units, enhancing emergency response, especially in remote areas, and strengthening community-level policing.
The unit’s core functions encompass law enforcement support, public safety and emergency response, protection of government installations, and coordination with multiple agencies. It will also engage in conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts, particularly in areas prone to intercommunal violence, land and boundary disputes, and resource-based conflicts.
In addition, the NGAPU is expected to play a vital role in curbing activities of outlawed local gangs, combating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), conducting high-risk operations, enforcing regulations, and addressing the proliferation of illicit brews and narcotics. The unit will have the power to arrest offenders and preserve relevant exhibits, as well as enforce national policies and laws in collaboration with other government bodies.
The formation of NGAPU follows the 2018 restructuring of the police service, which led to the redeployment of over 24,000 AP officers. This redeployment left NGAOS with limited security and enforcement support, resulting in increased threats to their safety, unguarded government installations, and delayed responses to public safety incidents, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
IG Kanja emphasised that the new unit will improve coordination between NGAOS and other security agencies, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of multi-agency operations and reinforcing crime prevention efforts at the grassroots level.
The NGAPU is composed of officers drawn from the APS and is legally established under Section 10(h) of the National Police Service Act. Officers in the unit will be equipped with standard APS gear, vehicles, and modern communication tools to meet operational demands.
AIG Charles Mutuma, who now leads the unit, has risen through the ranks of APS and holds two Master of Arts degrees in Security Management and Police Studies, and in Leadership and Security Management, both from Kenyatta University.
Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo highlighted the unit’s additional role in securing government offices and assets at divisional and locational levels against threats such as theft and arson.
According to the Office of the President, public consultations revealed strong support for APS officers, with many citing their approachability, responsiveness to complaints, and reduced bureaucracy as reasons for their preference.
NGAPU adds to the growing list of specialised police units such as the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), Diplomatic Police Unit (DPU), Anti-Narcotic Unit (ANU), Judiciary Police Unit (JPU), and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), each addressing specific security challenges.
Meanwhile, more than 106,000 village elders are currently engaged in supporting community governance, and the government has proposed the introduction of allowances to enhance their effectiveness.
The establishment of NGAPU marks a significant step towards reinforcing security and public trust at the community level, ensuring a more responsive and coordinated policing presence across the country.
