The National Police Service’s (NPS) Board will on Wednesday initiate transfers of senior and junior officers to various stations across the country, partly based on last Friday's promotion of 1,948 personnel.
The Board will meet in Nairobi to ratify the 1,948 promotions, start deployments in preparation for the 2027 elections, launch the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit and handle other housekeeping matters.
The Service Board is the highest decision-making organ of the National Police Service, bringing together Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, his deputies Eliud Lagat (Kenya Police Service) and Gilbert Masengeli (Administration Police Service), Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin and General Service Unit (GSU) Commandant Johana Tonui and Director of Personnel Wanderi Mwangi.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja (right) with Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli during the sensitisation forum on the New Service Standing Orders and police reforms at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong, Kajiado County, on August 12, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
The election preparations will entail reviewing the role and structure of each arm of the NPS – GSU, Kenya Police Service, DCI, AP – and initiating transfers of officers based on needs and concerns aired by the relevant police bosses.
The transfers will be hinged on promotion of officers, which Mr Kanja made last Friday just moments after the NPS won a protracted battle with the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) over which of the two institutions controls human resource functions of the police.
The Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the NPS, holding that the NPSC is limited to civilian personnel and issues within the police service.
The court battle stalled promotions and, last year, delayed the recruitment of 10,000 officers. Three appellate judges upheld a High Court decision to dismiss the case filed by the NPSC and the Law Society of Kenya.
The outcome means that the power to recruit, manage, promote, transfer and dismiss officers is vested with the NPS and Inspector-General Mr Kanja.
The dispute had stalled career progression for officers awaiting promotion despite completing the required promotional courses and meeting the prescribed conditions for advancement.
Confirming the promotions, Mr Kanja said the officers would be expected to demonstrate greater responsibility, professionalism and accountability in their new ranks.
“Each one of you must work diligently, uphold the highest standards of professionalism and remain accountable at all times. You must always be fair and just in the discharge of your duties and operate strictly within the framework of the law,” he said.
Mr Kanja described career progression as an important morale booster for officers, noting that promotions also had a positive impact on their families.
“Career progression is a massive morale booster to my officers, which also impacts their families positively. I congratulate all the promoted police officers and remind them that unto whom more is given, more is expected. They are expected to serve their motherland better, as per the law,” he said.
Police recruits perform a drill during a pass out parade in Kiganjo.
Photo credit: File | Nation
The Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit will be factored in as part of the election preparedness plan at the meeting. Aside from launching it, the Board will review its structure in preparation for staffing the new metropolitan unit.
The Metropolitan Police Unit will take over the running of security, disaster management and emergency responses.
The unit, whose headquarters have been proposed to be at Kamukunji police station, will bring together all security and enforcement teams under unified command.
It is the rollout of this unit, including the appointment and confirmation of the leadership and reporting lines that the top police chiefs are expected to firm up during their meeting today.
The new police service is scheduled to be officially unveiled by the end of the month, if plans by the Interior Ministry go according to schedule.
