New Metropolitan Police Unit Set to Boost Security in Nairobi

President William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Interior to establish a dedicated Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit within the next 60 days to address rising urban crime and security disorder. Addressing the Nairobi County Assembly in a historic session on Thursday, April 9, 2026, the president emphasized that a functional city must first be a safe city. This new specialized unit will work alongside county enforcement teams to create a more coordinated and effective security framework for the nation’s capital.

The establishment of the unit is a central pillar of the Sh80 billion cooperation agreement signed between the national government and Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration. Beyond traditional patrolling, the unit will utilize the upgraded Integrated Command and Control Communications Centre, incorporating Artificial Intelligence and interoperable CCTV systems from the city’s business community to enhance real-time crime analysis and response.

“Security is non-negotiable for a modern capital like Nairobi,” President Ruto declared during his address at City Hall. “We are establishing this unit to support coordinated, responsive, and effective security management. It is our obligation to ensure Nairobi remains an orderly, functional, and globally respected metropolis for residents, visitors, and investors alike.”

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has been tasked with presenting the full operational framework by mid-June 2026. Murkomen noted that the unit is modeled after successful metropolitan policing structures in cities like Tokyo and Johannesburg. Once the Nairobi prototype is fully functional, the government plans to replicate the model in other major cities, including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret.

While critics have raised concerns about potential overlaps with existing police structures, Governor Johnson Sakaja clarified that the unit is an intergovernmental partnership and not a national government takeover. The initiative aims to dismantle the notorious extortion cartels and gangs that have long hindered service delivery and public safety in areas such as the Central Business District and informal settlements.

The deployment of the Metropolitan Police Unit will coincide with other urban renewal projects, such as the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration, which is expected to create 40,000 jobs. By combining technological surveillance with specialized urban training, the government hopes to significantly reduce crime rates, which saw a 13.9% decrease in 2025 but remain a top priority for city residents.