Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja with with Italy's Minister for Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, at the National Police Service Headquarters, Jogoo House /HANDOUT
The National Police Service (NPS) has sought Italy's support
to establish a specialised Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit in a move aimed at
strengthening security, maintaining public order and enhancing safety across
the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja made the request during bilateral security talks with Italy's Minister for the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, at the National Police Service Headquarters, Jogoo House 'A', on July Thursday.
The meeting followed the signing of a Letter of Intent on Security Cooperation between Kenya and Italy earlier this week.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen led the delegation signalling closer collaboration on policing and security between the two countries.
A key outcome of the talks was Kanja's request for Italy's continued support in establishing the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit, a specialised formation that the National Police Service says will strengthen security, maintain public order and enhance safety within the Nairobi Metropolitan area.
The leaders also discussed strengthening cooperation against transnational organised crime.
Piantedosi called for coordinated efforts to dismantle financial networks linked to drug trafficking through closer collaboration with Interpol and other international policing frameworks.
He also stressed the need to strengthen investigations into financial and economic crimes, including tracing illicit financial flows and recovering illegally acquired assets, while calling for closer cooperation in tackling migrant smuggling and human trafficking.
Piantedosi highlighted Italy's International Training and Education Programme for Africa (ITEPA) as an important platform for strengthening the operational capacity of African police services.
He also reaffirmed Italy's commitment to supporting Kenya's counter-terrorism efforts through continued training, operational partnerships and capacity-building.
The meeting was attended by Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin, deputy inspector generals Eliud Lagat and Gilbert Masengeli.
Secretary Administration and Accounting Officer Bernice Lemedeket also attended the event.
Beyond the proposed metropolitan police unit, Kanja welcomed Italy's support in advancing technology-driven policing, saying the integration of the Integrated Command, Control, Communication and Coordination (IC4) System would strengthen the Service's ability to detect, predict and respond to crime in real time.
He also called for expanded collaboration in officer training, intelligence sharing, joint operations and capacity-building to help address evolving security challenges while advancing the National Police Service's goal of ensuring all police service points remain centres of excellence.
The discussions highlighted Kenya and Italy's growing security partnership as both countries seek to deepen cooperation in policing, training and the fight against transnational organised crime.
