Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat greets an officer at the Police Pavilion on August 26, 2026./HANDOUT
The National Police Service is set to intensify its crackdown on criminal gangs and goons as part of a broader strategy to restore security in Nairobi and other parts of the country.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat said the police command was developing forward-looking security strategies aimed at tackling emerging threats and making Nairobi safer for residents and businesses.
Speaking during a media briefing, Lagat said he had held an in-house meeting with the top Nairobi regional command to review the security situation and develop strategies for dealing with crime and criminal gangs.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat greets Nairobi police boss Issa Mohamud at the Police Pavilion on August 26, 2026./HANDOUT
The meeting focused on stronger coordination, emerging security concerns and practical solutions to challenges affecting service delivery.
“We want police officers who are responsive, professional and effective in serving the public.”
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat greets an officer at the Police Pavilion on August 26, 2026./HANDOUT
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat at the Police Pavilion on August 26, 2026./HANDOUT
He said the police would not relent in their efforts to eliminate criminal gangs and groups of goons blamed for insecurity in parts of the capital.
“Our commitment is to completely eliminate criminal gangs and goons and make Nairobi and the wider country safe,” the police boss said.
Lagat also said the command was paying attention to the welfare, morale and working conditions of officers serving in Nairobi, arguing that the well-being of police officers was critical to effective policing.
The NPS is also preparing to receive 10,000 new officers from Friday, with Lagat saying particular attention would be given to their smooth integration into the service.
The new recruits are expected to strengthen police presence and operational capacity at a time when the service is undertaking a series of reforms and reorganising its approach to policing.
Lagat further announced the rollout of a new police uniform as part of ongoing efforts to modernise the service.
The uniform changes will form part of a broader package of police reforms that will initially be implemented in Nairobi before being expanded to other parts of the country.
The phased approach is intended to allow the police command to implement and assess the reforms before rolling them out nationally.
The planned changes come amid renewed efforts by the police to modernise the service, improve officers’ working environment and strengthen its response to crime.
Lagat said the transformation would be gradual, with Nairobi serving as the starting point before the measures are extended across the country.
There has been a surge in criminal activities in some parts of the country amid calls to take action to tame the trend.
Police say they have the capability to address the menace.
