Murkomen, Sakaja Seek UK Expertise in Plan to Establish Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit

Plans to establish the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit (NMPU) gained significant momentum following high-level bilateral talks between senior Kenyan officials and the United Kingdom (UK) government in London.

The Kenyan delegation, led by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, sought British expertise to improve public safety, security management, and crime prevention frameworks within the capital.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Gilbert Masengeli accompanied the leaders alongside other senior security officials.

The delegation met UK Home Secretary Rt. Hon. Shabana Mahmood, Minister of State for Policing and Crime Sarah Jones, and the leadership of the City of London Police (CoLP).

Discussions centered on how Kenya can leverage British metropolitan policing strategies to build a modern security framework for Nairobi.

According to Governor Sakaja, the consultations explored opportunities for collaboration in urban policing, public safety, and crime prevention, focusing on a model tailored to Nairobi's growing urban needs.

Cabinet Secretary Murkomen noted that the London talks also reviewed broader issues under the Kenya–UK Strategic Partnership Framework and the security cooperation compact existing between the two nations.

The engagement forms part of an international benchmarking campaign by the government to review global policing operations.

The London visit followed a study mission in New York City, where the same Kenyan delegation met with the New York Police Department (NYPD) to study urban security models and data-driven law enforcement systems.

The initiatives stem from a directive issued by President William Ruto, who tasked the Ministry of Interior to establish a dedicated, specialized security formation for the capital.

The unit is intended to improve coordination between national and county security agencies, enhance rapid response capabilities, and safeguard residents, infrastructure, and commercial interests.