This archive report was first published on 12 July 2019.
On July 12, 2019, a significant milestone was reached in the ongoing police reforms in Kenya as the Kenya Police Service took over 23,900 Administration Police officers in a ceremony presided over by Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i.
The handover marked the implementation of a presidential directive aimed at reforming the National Police Service. The move is part of a broader effort to merge the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations under a single command structure.
As part of the reforms, over 2,000 officers from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) also joined the Administration Police Service. The affected personnel have been directed to return their jungle uniforms and will be issued with new blue ones.
The changes will affect more than 3,600 chiefs' camps in Kenya, with all 1,520 wards set to have police stations manned by an Officer Commanding Station (OCS). The current constituencies will also have police divisions served by sub-county police commanders formerly known as OCPDs.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i hailed the merger as a critical milestone in the course of reforms, urging the officers to be diligent in their duty. Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai also echoed sentiments, promising to deal conclusively with cases of insecurity affecting parts of the country.
