MPs push for completion of police housing units within station compounds

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja appearing before the Administration and Internal Security Committee on Thursday, November 6, 2025. (Parliament, Facebook)

By Lucy Mumbi
Friday, November 7, 2025

Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, said housing officers within station premises would significantly improve emergency response and strengthen community policing.

Members of Parliament have urged the Ministry of Housing to fast-track the construction of police housing units within station compounds to enhance officers’ welfare and operational efficiency.

This comes after the National Police Service (NPS) raised concerns that officers living far from stations face delays in responding to emergencies, affecting overall service delivery.

More To Read

Appearing before the Administration and Internal Security Committee, chaired by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, said housing officers within station premises would significantly improve emergency response and strengthen community policing.

However, Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works Acting Secretary Cassius Kusienya disclosed that free housing for officers living in police lines was discontinued in December 2018 and replaced with a market-based housing allowance for officers below the rank of Inspector.

He also noted that 33,517 housing units had been transferred to security agencies, 16,551 units to the Kenya Police Service, 7,631 units to the Administration Police Service and 9,335 units to the Kenya Prisons Service.

“This shift has led to challenges, as some officers continue to experience payroll deductions for units they no longer occupy, creating financial strain and lowering morale,” Kusienya said.

He told the committee that, due to budget constraints, only minor repairs in 525 units have been completed. Under the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP), 962 units are completed or ongoing, 4,681 units are newly awarded projects, 400 projects have been awarded but are yet to commence, while 3,099 units remain under procurement.

The committee raised concerns over the lack of documentary evidence showing completed projects and directed the Ministry to furnish all relevant supporting documents.

The MPs also highlighted the unpredictability of officer transfers, which complicates proper housing allocation, urging the National Police Service to address the challenge.

Vice Chairperson Dido Rasso recommended forming a joint sub-committee comprising representatives from the Ministry, NPS and National Police Service Commission (NPSC) to streamline roles and address housing concerns more efficiently.

“In an effort to address housing challenges comprehensively, we call upon the Ministry to prioritise completion of stalled housing projects and identify urgent priority areas requiring immediate intervention,” Dido said.