Diani: Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS), Kipchumba Murkomen, has launched the National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU) to support government agencies in the execution of administrative functions. The establishment of the unit was informed by the Maraga Taskforce Report, which recommended the creation of structures to ensure that the National Police Service aids the National Government Administration in fulfilling its security functions through the deployment of general duty officers with clear command and reporting structures.
According to Kenya News Agency, the new unit will support the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) in managing security and executing their duties and responsibilities across all administrative units in the country. The unit will also provide security to NGAO, assist in enforcing national policies, laws, and regulations, offer security during high-risk operations such as land disputes and regulatory enforcement, and manage inter-communal conflicts.
NGAPU will join other specialized units under the Administration Police Service (APS), with the commandant of the unit reporting to the Deputy Inspector General in charge of APS. "The work of this unit is cut out. There is an immediate need to support other security organs in confronting security challenges threatening law and order," said CS Murkomen in Diani when he closed a week-long APS senior commanders' conference themed 'Transforming the Police to Meet Service Delivery Expectations'.
The CS also launched the Administration Police Service Roadmap to Service Delivery Revitalisation, 2025-2028. The roadmap aims to enhance professionalism and accountability, strengthen operational preparedness and logistical capacity, promote public trust and confidence, improve the welfare and motivation of officers, and support government efforts in mitigating climate change.
APS was commended for investing in technology, infrastructure, equipment, and capacity as outlined in the four-year roadmap. "In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, many offences and security threats are enabled by digital technology. The ability to detect, disrupt, deter, and investigate these threats depends on our capacity to operate effectively in a high-tech environment," stated the Interior CS.
He assured APS of the government's commitment to supporting the realization of the transformative roadmap. "I would also like to reassure you that we will work with your leadership to address issues around social welfare, training, better equipment, and other matters of concern to dignify your work," said the CS. He praised the contribution of APS in silencing guns in the North Rift and other banditry-prone areas and its instrumental role in fighting terrorism, stabilizing disturbed areas, and securing the Kenya-Somalia border.
As part of reforms in the security sector, the CS announced that lower-cadre officers would receive an additional ten per cent salary increment this year, following a 20 per cent increase last year. The police service will also receive 3,000 new vehicles this year to improve working conditions, and Sh28 billion will be allocated over the next two years for acquiring state-of-the-art protective gear and armoured vehicles.
The Principal Secretary of Interior and National Administration, Dr. Raymond Omollo, stated that NGAPU would enhance community policing, improve relations, and ensure timely conflict resolution.