The Inspector General National Police Service (NPS) Douglas Kanja Friday raised alarm over a growing wave of coordinated lawlessness across the country, warning of firm action against individuals and groups behind attacks on police stations, officers, and critical infrastructure.
Kanja said the incidents—reported in several counties—pose a serious threat to national security, public safety, and community stability.
“The National Police Service unequivocally condemns these criminal acts. They are not merely unlawful—they represent a grave and direct assault on national security,” Kanja said.
He emphasized that police stations serve as vital centres for emergency response and public protection, warning that any attacks on such facilities amount to an attack on the safety and freedom of all Kenyans.
The police chief revealed that the Service has activated intensified, intelligence-led operations in collaboration with other security agencies to track down and prosecute those responsible. He said the aim is to establish a strong deterrent against future incidents.
He made the remarks during a press conference at his office Jogoo House while in the company of his deputy Eliud Lagat and deputy DCI John Onyango and other senior officials.
Kanja also expressed concern over what he termed an “alarming surge in political violence and thuggery,” accusing leaders from across the political divide of mobilising gangs to disrupt public order.
“This constitutes a direct threat to national security and will not be tolerated,” he warned, adding that both perpetrators and their sponsors will face the full force of the law regardless of their status.
He reiterated police’s commitment to professionalism and human rights, reminding officers to operate strictly within the Constitution, the National Police Service Act, and other legal frameworks.
“Every action—whether during patrols, investigations, arrests or public order management—must be lawful, proportionate and professional,” he directed.
There has been a rise in cases of goonsm in the country. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said up to 300 suspected goons have been arrested in the past week in a crackdown.
Kanja noted that the NPS had recorded a 5 percent drop in the national crime rate in 2025 compared to 2024, attributing the improvement to intelligence-led policing and multi-agency collaboration targeting terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, banditry, and drug trafficking.
He further highlighted Kenya’s growing role in international security, citing the country’s leadership in the UN-backed Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti, as well as peacekeeping deployments in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The police boss urged members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities, avoiding unlawful assemblies, and respecting police directives during operations.
He reassured Kenyans that the country remains safe and secure, crediting officers for their continued dedication to protecting lives and property.
“The National Police Service remains unshaken in its commitment to professionalism, restraint and accountability,” Kanja said, adding that all lawful measures will be deployed to safeguard the public and security installations.
