Ruto orders sweeping security reforms after Jukwaa la Usalama forums

President William Ruto at State House on December 2, 2025. (PCS)

By Mary Wambui
Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Twenty-four sub-counties, 88 Divisions, 318 Locations, and 675 Sub-Locations will be operationalised in the next one year.

President William Ruto has issued a raft of directives in response to the findings of the countrywide Jukwaa la Usalala forums held between April and October this year.

The forums held across the 47 counties provided an opportunity for Kenyans, security officials, and other stakeholders to share firsthand insights into the security challenges affecting them with Interior CS Kipchuma Murkomen and his team from the Ministry of Interior.

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The directives announced at the launch of the forum's report at State House on Tuesday include: the digitalisation of operations and human resources management of the police, National Police Reservists (NPRs), and National Government Administration Officials (NGAOs) in respect of promotions, training, and transfers.

Every chief will also be issued a tablet in the next six months for filing reports, and more than 3,000 new cars will also be made available to boost their mobility.

The Anti-Narcotics Unit of the DCI will be revamped to curb the growing prevalence of drug abuse.

"This will involve increasing the number of officers from 160 to 500 and establishing 34 offices across the country. The President will also convene a meeting with Governors to streamline the licensing of liquor outlets. Further, every county will also be required to have at least one rehabilitation centre," the Ministry said.

At the same time, 900 police stations will be constructed in the next two years through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Interior, N-GCDF, and the Affordable Housing Programme.

Twenty-four sub-counties, 88 Divisions, 318 Locations, and 675 Sub-Locations will be operationalised in the next one year, as 17,500 housing units for the police and prison warders are constructed also within the next one year.

Effective June 1, 2026, all the Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs who were trained this year will be promoted by one rank.

Also to be promoted are all police officers in the rank of Constable who are aged 50 years and above, as the IG issues promotion guidelines for other ranks.

At the same time, no officer will be transferred within one year of a previous transfer without considering their social situation.

Equally, no officer will serve in an operational area for more than three years, and those who are aged 50 years and above will be transferred closer to home.

To improve mobility, the government will procure 3,000 motor vehicles with more emphasis on electric vehicles to address inadequate fuel allocation and aid environmental protection.

The president also directed that the number of civil registration centres be increased from the current 174 to 400 in the next six months. By so doing, every sub-county will have at least one registry.

To improve correctional and rehabilitation services, the Ministry will develop a Correctional Services Bill and Probation Services Bill in the next four months. All inmates will also be registered in SHA.