Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has confirmed that the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit will be operational on May 1, marking a key milestone in ongoing national and county-level security reforms.
Murkomen made the announcement following a meeting with the technical committee overseeing the formation, structure, and rollout of the new unit. He said the plan is aligned with President William Ruto’s directive and the existing cooperation framework between the national government and Nairobi City County.
The Interior CS said the new policing structure is aimed at strengthening security in the capital, which continues to face pressure from high population density, urban crime challenges, and increasing demand for faster emergency response services.
The technical committee presented updates on the proposed command framework, operational structure, and rollout strategy. Officials also reviewed milestones already achieved as well as the remaining steps required before full deployment.
Security and Coordination Framework
Murkomen emphasized that the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit will operate under the National Police Service mandate, with a focus on improved coordination, accountability, and efficiency in service delivery.
He added that the initiative is intended to enhance collaboration between various security agencies while ensuring a more responsive policing system in the capital. The unit is expected to play a central role in urban safety management, including crime prevention and rapid incident response.
The meeting was attended by senior security officials including Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Internal Security Principal Administrative Secretary Jacob Narengo, Internal Security Secretary Administration Thomas Saka, and National Police Service Director of Reforms John Kamau, among other officials.
Officials present discussed the importance of aligning the new unit with broader police reforms and ensuring that operational readiness is achieved ahead of the May 1 launch date.
Murkomen said the government remains committed to meeting the timeline, noting that the establishment of the unit is part of wider efforts to modernize policing systems in rapidly growing urban areas.
He added that the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit is expected to improve trust between the public and law enforcement by enhancing visibility, responsiveness, and accountability in daily policing operations.
The technical committee is expected to continue final preparations, including coordination on staffing, deployment structure, and operational guidelines ahead of the official rollout.
Once operational, the unit will focus on strengthening public safety in Nairobi, supporting existing police formations, and improving coordination across different security agencies working within the capital.
Murkomen reaffirmed that the government’s priority is to ensure a smooth and effective launch that meets public safety expectations and supports long-term policing reforms in Kenya’s largest urban center.
