The National Police Service (NPS) has established several new specialised police formations, including the Nairobi Metropolitan Police, the Judiciary Police Unit, the Kenya Police Quick Response Unit and the Kenya Police Marine Unit, following a major restructuring of its organisational framework.
The changes are contained in the National Police Service (Amendment) Standing Orders, 2026, a legal notice that reorganises the internal structure of the Kenya Police Service by introducing new formations and redefining command responsibilities to strengthen policing across the country.
According to the amended Standing Orders, the new units are intended to enhance operational efficiency, improve coordination and enable the police service to respond more effectively to evolving security challenges in different parts of the country.
The Nairobi Metropolitan Police will oversee policing operations within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, where security agencies regularly contend with high population density, organised crime, traffic-related offences and large public gatherings. The formation is expected to coordinate policing across the metropolitan region while working alongside county and national security agencies.
The Judiciary Police Unit has been established to provide dedicated security to courts, judicial officers and court users. Its responsibilities include safeguarding court premises, supporting judicial operations and enhancing security within Kenya’s justice system.
The Kenya Police Quick Response Unit has been created as a rapid deployment formation capable of responding to emergencies, major security incidents and other situations requiring immediate police intervention. The unit is expected to support existing police formations during high-risk operations.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Police Marine Unit will strengthen policing along Kenya’s coastline and inland water bodies by conducting maritime patrols, combating crimes committed on water, supporting search-and-rescue operations and working with other government agencies responsible for maritime security.
The restructuring also revises the command structure of the National Police Service by clarifying reporting lines and responsibilities across various departments and specialised formations.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said the reforms are aimed at strengthening service delivery and ensuring the police service remains responsive to emerging security needs.
“The National Police Service remains committed to building a professional, efficient and accountable police service that is responsive to the security needs of all Kenyans,” Kanja has said in outlining the Service’s reform agenda.
The reorganisation aligns with ongoing reforms within the National Police Service aimed at modernising policing through specialised units, improved command structures and better coordination among security agencies.
The National Police Service Act mandates the Inspector-General to organise and administer the Service in a manner that promotes effective policing while maintaining law and order. The Standing Orders provide the operational framework governing the structure, administration and deployment of police officers.
Security experts have increasingly advocated for specialised policing as Kenya faces evolving threats ranging from organised crime and cyber-enabled offences to urban insecurity and maritime crime. The creation of dedicated formations is expected to improve operational focus by assigning officers to areas requiring specialised training and expertise.
The latest changes form part of broader institutional reforms within the National Police Service, with the government seeking to strengthen policing capacity while improving coordination, accountability and the delivery of security services across the country.