The National Police Service (NPS) has requested additional resources in the FY 2025/26 Supplementary Estimates No.1 to finance security operations, training of newly recruited officers, and the modernization of police infrastructure and equipment.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja presented the request to the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security on March 12, 2026, telling MPs that the National Police Service currently has 104,087 officers and staff drawn from the Kenya Police Service, the Administration Police Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
During the session before the Gabriel Tongoyo-led committee, the police provided a breakdown showing that the Kenya Police Service has 70,443 officers, the Administration Police Service has 26,113 officers, while the Directorate of Criminal Investigations has 7,531 officers, alongside 2,349 non-uniformed staff.
Despite these numbers, the Inspector General noted that the service still faces a staffing gap.
With Kenya’s population estimated at 54 million, the police-to-population ratio, according to IG Kanja, stands at 1:531, which is below the recommended 1:450 international standard.
Kanja said the police service’s priorities are aligned with the national development blueprint Kenya Vision 2030 and the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“In the 2026 Budget Policy Statement presented in February 2026, I briefed the committee on NPS priorities in the medium term. These priorities are aligned with Medium Term Plan IV of the Kenya Vision 2030 economic blueprint, which focuses on promoting sustainable peace and security, in line with the priority areas of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration that support the achievement of BETA,” he said.
Kanja noted that operational resources remain limited.
“Operations and maintenance account for only 18.37 percent of the NPS budget, with personnel emoluments and insurance costs taking the lion’s share of 81.6 percent,” he said.
He said the service is currently conducting several security operations, including Operation Linda Boni, Maliza Uhalifu, Ondoa Jangili, and security operations in Mukogodo Forest in Laikipia.
The Inspector General said police stations across the country require more funds to cater for suspects in custody and officers deployed in difficult operational areas.
“Additional funding is required to cater for meals for suspects in custody in police stations countrywide, which are currently underfunded,” he said.
He added that the funds will also support the provision of fresh food and dry rations for officers stationed in remote areas and along international borders. The funding will also help replenish riot control equipment following recent protests.
“Recent riots have depleted NPS stocks of equipment necessary for enhancing professional crowd and riot control, thereby reducing casualties in line with acceptable international standards,” he said.
The police service is also seeking funds to purchase vehicles to improve mobility and response to crime.
“Currently, the NPS has only 50 percent of the required motor vehicles. This has a significant effect on efficient service delivery, especially in police stations,” he said.
He added that only three out of the nine aircraft owned by the service are currently operational.
The Inspector General said additional funding is needed for the purchase of two new aircraft, overhaul and maintenance of existing aircraft, pilot training, and operational costs such as fuel and lubricants.
The service is also seeking additional resources for continuous training of officers in emerging security areas.
“Training and capacity building need to be continuous activities for the service to keep up with emerging security threats, protect human rights, and promote a citizen-centric mindset,” Kanja said.
Kanja assured MPs that the police service will ensure proper use of any funds approved through the supplementary budget.