Kenya: New GSU Officers to Bolster Security Ahead of 2027 Polls, Murkomen Says

Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced on Friday that new General Service Unit (GSU) officers would bolster security ahead of the 2027 General Election. The officers, who recently completed over nine months of training at the National Police College’s Embakasi ‘B’ Campus, will join the police service to protect lives and property.

Interior CS Murkomen affirmed that the NPS is now better equipped to secure the nation, including before and during the elections. President William Ruto's resources facilitated the recruitment and training of the new GSU officers, along with General Duty officers and those who joined the Administration Police Service. The government has also invested in policing equipment, mobility, and specialized response capabilities, including Advanced Mobile Response and Protection Systems (AMRAPS), drones, and protective gear.

Additionally, the government is replacing the National Police Service fleet and has expanded the National Police Reservists program. Human rights, constitutionalism, the rule of law, and community policing have been integrated into police training. The CS also highlighted the promotion of 4,473 officers and over 138,000 police and prison officers and their dependants enrolled in the Usalama Cover.