The Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja has formally established a new specialised formation within the Administration Police Service, the National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU).
The new unit is aimed at strengthening security and coordination across Kenya’s administrative structures. The unit is created under Section 10(h) of the National Police Service Act, giving it a clear legal mandate to support the work of national government administrative officers, from the grassroots to the national level.
At its core, the new unit is designed to provide direct operational and security support to government administrators, including chiefs, assistant chiefs, county commissioners and other officials tasked with implementing government policy. According to the gazette notice, the unit will “render support to the national government administrative officers in the performance of their lawful duties and responsibilities within the administrative units” and “provide protective security to government officers within the respective administrative units.”
Enforcement role
The mandate of the NGAPU is wide-ranging. Beyond protecting government officers, the unit will also support the enforcement of national laws and policies, working alongside other agencies. It will be responsible for providing security during official government operations, public functions and community gatherings, as well as during conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts.
Crucially, the unit will also act as a first responder in certain situations. Under its functions, officers will have powers to “apprehend offenders and preserve exhibits as the first responders, where applicable,” a role that places them at the frontline of law enforcement within administrative units.
The unit is also required to “collaborate with other law enforcement agencies in responding to incidents requiring co-ordinated operational efforts,” reinforcing its role as a bridge between national administrators and the broader security architecture.
The unit’s structure
The new formation will operate through a clearly defined command structure, ensuring it integrates seamlessly into the existing Administration Police Service.
At the top of the unit will be a Commandant, who will report directly to the Deputy Inspector-General of the Administration Police Service. The Commandant will be responsible for advising on and managing all matters requiring police support to national government administrators and government agencies.
Below the Commandant, the unit will be deployed across all levels of government administration:
- Regional Unit Officers will report to Regional Administration Police Service Commanders and oversee operations across regions.
- County Unit Officers will be accountable to County Administration Police Service Commanders and supervise the unit’s work within counties.
- Sub-county Unit Officers will report to Sub-county Commanders and manage operations at sub-county level.
- Ward or Division Unit Officers will operate at the grassroots, reporting to Sub-county Commanders and ensuring day-to-day efficiency within wards and divisions.
All officers and personnel will operate in line with the laws, regulations and career progression guidelines of the National Police Service as approved by the National Police Service Commission.
Rapid response
One of the most significant provisions in the gazette notice is the requirement for immediate assistance when called upon by government administrators. Where a national government administrative officer requests support for the coordination of a national function or lawful activity, the Ward or Division Unit Officer must provide that assistance “without undue delay or reservation.”
This effectively guarantees that chiefs, assistant chiefs and other administrators will have a dedicated security arm ready to support official government activities, public meetings and sensitive operations.
While the NGAPU will provide direct support to administrators, overall responsibility for policing at the local level remains with the Officer-in-Charge of the Police Station in each ward or division. The OCS will continue to oversee all police operations, including crime prevention, investigations and the apprehension of offenders, ensuring that the new unit complements — rather than replaces — existing police structures.
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