Nairobi, Kenya . In a bid to enhance governance and law enforcement at the grassroots level, the government has established the National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU). The new unit will work under the Administration Police Service (APS) to support chiefs and their assistants in maintaining law and order across the country.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is set to officially launch the NGAPU on Friday, January 24, in Kwale. He will be joined by Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to unveil the unit alongside the Administration Police Service Roadmap to Service Delivery Revitalization (2025-2028).
The NGAPU will provide critical support to National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) across all administrative units. With its headquarters in Nairobi, the unit will have subsidiary formations at regional, county, sub-county, divisional, and locational levels.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who initially proposed the initiative in 2022, highlighted its potential to bolster chiefs’ ability to enforce law and order. He noted that each of the country’s 3,950 chiefs and 9,043 assistant chiefs would receive five police officers to aid their operations.
“The government aims to empower chiefs while ensuring accountability and efficiency,” Kindiki said. “This initiative will discourage administrators from engaging in partisan politics and focus on their core responsibilities.”
The NGAPU will play a pivotal role in supporting NGAOs by providing security during high-risk operations, public functions, and regulatory enforcement efforts. The unit’s duties will include maintaining law and order, assisting in land dispute resolutions, curbing alcohol and drug abuse, and peace-building initiatives. Additionally, the unit will collaborate with other law enforcement agencies to address complex security incidents.
Personnel will also ensure compliance with national directives on public safety, apprehend suspects, preserve exhibits, and secure government premises.
The NGAPU complements other specialized APS units, such as the Rapid Deployment Unit, Border Patrol Unit, Stock Theft Prevention Unit, and the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit. These units operate under the oversight of the Deputy Inspector General of APS, who reports directly to the Inspector General of Police.
As the government strengthens local law enforcement, the NGAPU is expected to improve the coordination between NGAOs and police, ensuring more efficient service delivery and fostering safer communities across Kenya.
