Wamuzi News Ke
In a stunning affirmation today, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen praised the National Police Service (NPS) as the most professional force in Africa, marking a dramatic shift in the government’s tone toward its security apparatus.
During a high-level visit to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters and forensic laboratory, CS Murkomen described the ongoing revolution in policing as “a transformation none other in Africa can match.” His remarks come amid bold, expansive reforms aimed at equipping, recruiting, and supporting Kenya’s police force .
A New Era of Police Reform.
Murkomen revealed sweeping plans to overhaul the NPS infrastructure, including the delivery of 3,000 new vehicles this fiscal year, featuring the first 1,000 scheduled for imminent deployment. The procurement is part of a KSh28 billion package to modernize protective gear and armoured personnel carriers .
He further announced a forthcoming recruitment surge of 10,000 officers in the 2025–2026 financial year—a response to persistent understaffing that, he warned, had “put a big strain in most of the police stations” .
Tech-Driven Transparency & Accountability.
In a landmark move to curb corruption and nepotism, Murkomen disclosed the launch of an automated police recruitment system. Spearheaded by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), this online portal is now in pilot phase to ensure transparent, merit-based hiring .
Reforming Internal Culture: Welfare, Mental Health & DisciplineMurkomen’s bold claims also underscored a new internal strategy prioritizing officer welfare. Investments include mental health support, housing, insurance, and the introduction of instant-fine systems on roads—designed to eliminate bribery and streamline enforcement .
He emphasized addressing the mental well-being of police personnel, pointing to cases of distress and suicide as evidence that “police resilience and mental health are crucial for effective law enforcement” .
Professionalism Amid Persistent Criticism.
Murkomen stood firm in the face of criticism, asserting the police are confronting evolving threats with “rigorous investigations” and cutting-edge forensic science.
He credited the DCI with dismantling complex criminal networks, and praised the teamwork across the NPS as “unmatched in Africa” .He dismissed detractors accusing the force of human rights violations, inviting journalists to visit field operations in high-risk regions like Elwak—arguing lay observers cannot grasp the full context from their offices .
Conclusion: The Road AheadMurkomen’s public endorsement of the Kenyan police as the continent’s most professional signals a pivotal moment in national security.
As the government rolls out armored vehicles, recruits thousands of new officers, digitizes recruitment, and invests in welfare and mental health, Nairobi may be witnessing the birth of a truly modern, professional police force.But can systemic change be sustained?
With entrenched public mistrust and recurring allegations of brutality and corruption still in the backdrop, reality-testing these sweeping reforms will be critical in the months yet to come.
