The newly formed National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU) is now
fully activated following the appointment of Charles Mutuma as its Commandant.
As
Commandant, Mutuma will report to the Deputy Inspector General (APS) and will
be responsible for overseeing deployment and ensuring operational alignment
with national security objectives, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja
said.
Kanja
presided over an event to unveil the new commander.
This
followed concerns on who the officers will report to, given that the National Police
Service is independent.
Launched in
late February this year, NGAPU is mandated to support National Government
administrators – including chiefs and assistant chiefs – in executing their
security functions at the grassroots level.
These
include curbing the activities of outlawed local gangs, enhancing community
safety, fighting sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), conducting high-risk
operations, regulatory enforcement, the war against illicit brews and
narcotics, arresting offenders, and preserving relevant exhibits.
The unit
will also play a key role in conflict resolution and peacebuilding initiatives,
particularly in areas affected by intercommunal clashes, boundary and land
disputes, and resource-based conflicts.
Additionally,
it will take the lead in enforcing national policies, laws, and regulations in
collaboration with other government agencies.
The unit
comprises officers drawn from the Administration Police Service (APS) and
established under the authority of the Inspector General of Police with the aim
of bridging the policing gap at the community level and providing wananchi with
a reassuring presence of responsive security personnel.
During
public consultations, an overwhelming number of members of the public expressed
a strong preference for APS officers, citing their approachability, efficiency
in handling complaints, and less bureaucratic procedures as key reasons for
trust, the Office of the President said.
Mutuma, who
has risen through the ranks within the Administration Police Service (APS),
brings with him a wealth of experience and a high reputation for
professionalism, attributes that earned him his most recent promotion to the
rank of Assistant Inspector General (AIG).
He holds a
Master of Arts in Security Management and Police Studies, and a Master of Arts
in Leadership and Security Management, both from Kenyatta University.
He is currently
pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Security Studies at the same
institution.
