This archive report was first published on 10 July 2019.
On July 9, 2019, Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai addressed officers from the regular and Administration Police departments in Matungu Police station, Kakamega County.
As part of drastic changes announced in September 2018 by President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Administration Police and Kenya Police Service have merged to form a new unit known as General Duties Officers.
Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) Executive Director Peter Kiama expressed optimism that the merger will enhance transparency and accountability among the law enforcers.
“You will no longer see AP’s carrying people’s handbags or going to pick kids from school,” Kiama said.
The merger is expected to streamline the command structure, ensuring more personnel and police vehicles for patrols.
Some 20,000 officers are set to join their counterparts within the Kenya Police Service, with the Rural Border Police Unit transformed into the border police unit with 6,000 officers.
On Friday, 200 Administration Police officers in Nairobi will participate in the handing over parade, marking the beginning of the merger.
