Murkomen receives progress report on Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit as rollout advances

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Wednesday received a progress report on the ongoing establishment of the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit (NMPU), as the government accelerates plans to strengthen security and improve public order in the capital and its surrounding areas.

The detailed progress report was presented to him by the technical committee tasked with developing the framework for the establishment of the Unit.

The committee is currently working on key foundational elements of the new structure, including the administrative framework, service standing orders, and standard operating procedures that will guide the unit once it becomes operational.

Murkomen, who spoke during the event at his office, praised the progress, saying he was confident that the team would come up with a “people-facing command structure”.

Expressing his satisfaction, Murkomen noted that the team is undertaking extensive benchmarking with some of the world’s most effective metropolitan police systems to ensure the new unit reflects global best practices.

He said the exposure to international models is helping shape a modern policing framework that is responsive, efficient, and aligned with the realities of rapidly expanding urban centres.

“I am gratified that the team is learning from some of the best metropolitan police units in the world in coming up with the administrative structure, service standing orders and standard operating procedures,” he said.

According to Murkomen, the benchmarking process is critical in ensuring that the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit is not only structurally sound but also operationally effective in addressing issues such as urban crime, traffic management, emergency response, and intelligence-led policing.

The proposed unit, Murkomen said, will play a key role in enhancing urban security by improving coordination among law enforcement agencies, strengthening rapid response mechanisms, and deepening cooperation between the police and members of the public.

He noted that Nairobi, as a fast-growing metropolitan hub, continues to face evolving security challenges that require a more specialised and coordinated policing approach tailored to its unique urban environment.

“This unit will significantly enhance security and public order in the city and its surroundings. It will strengthen response to emerging security challenges, improve inter-agency collaboration, and promote cooperation between the police and the public,” Murkomen said.

He added that the unit will be designed to complement existing security formations, ensuring seamless coordination between the National Police Service, national government administrators, and county enforcement agencies.

Present during the briefing were National Government Coordination Principal Secretary Ahmed Abdisalan, Inspector General Douglas Kanja, and representatives from the Nairobi County Government, alongside other senior officials involved in the security reforms.

Murkomen emphasised that the establishment of the unit forms part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening internal security and improving service delivery in major urban centres across the country.

He said the government remains committed to ensuring that the final structure of the unit is well-equipped, professionally managed, and capable of responding effectively to the dynamic security needs of the capital city.

Once operational, the Unit is expected to provide a more coordinated response to crime prevention, public safety, traffic enforcement, and emergency incidents, while also enhancing intelligence sharing across agencies.

President William Ruto directed the formation of the Unit during the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Nairobi City county at State House on February 17, this year.