The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has issued a stern warning against the use of hired thugs and criminal gangs, saying the National Police Service (NPS) will not allow any form of lawlessness as the country approaches the 2027 general election.
Speaking at the Kenya School of Government in Mutunga during a meeting with senior officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kanja highlighted that security agencies are stepping up efforts to dismantle gangs often deployed to settle political disputes.
He noted that with roughly 15 months to the general election, the police service has a critical responsibility to ensure Kenyans can freely exercise their right to vote in a safe environment. "Next year’s general election is not far away. The National Police Service must continue to prepare itself. Preparations start at the strategic level and then move down," he said.
Kanja explained that plans are already being formulated at the strategic level, which will later be implemented across operational units to ensure comprehensive coverage nationwide. He reassured citizens that the NPS is committed to providing a secure environment where the constitutional right to vote is fully protected.
“We don’t have space for these criminals. Our business is dealing with criminals, and these are some of the strategies we are discussing with senior leadership to ensure gangs are done away with,” Kanja said.
The IG also revealed that 10,000 newly recruited officers are currently undergoing training at the Kiganjo Police Training College. In addition, capacity-building programs for existing officers are ongoing across the country to enhance preparedness ahead of the polls.
On police welfare, Kanja pointed out that a salary increment set to take effect in July 2026 is part of the government’s efforts to boost morale. “Such government efforts are a way of giving morale to our officers, with housing programs taking shape. We want that effort to be doubled to ensure police officers are adequately accommodated,” he said.
In recent weeks, Kanja has been holding high-level meetings with police leadership to coordinate strategies. Last week, he brought together regional and formation commanders at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong for a strategic session focused on strengthening operational readiness.
The IG’s statements signal an intensified push by the police to prevent political violence and curb criminal activities in the lead-up to one of the country’s most closely watched elections.
