President William Ruto has defended his administration’s police reform programme, pointing to higher salaries, better housing and healthcare, expanded training, new police stations and increased use of technology as key changes made since 2022.
Ruto said the reforms were aimed at transforming the National Police Service into a professional and properly supported institution capable of delivering better services to Kenyans.
He spoke on Friday during the 59th Administration Police Recruits Passing-Out Parade at the National Police College, Embakasi ‘A’ Campus in Nairobi, where he said the government had acted on recommendations made by the National Task Force on Police Reforms.
“That is why we embark on a comprehensive programme of police reform, informed by the recommendations of the National Task Force on Police Reform; the objective is clear: to build a national police service that is professional, properly equipped, adequately supported, technologically enabled, and accountable to the people it serves.”
The President said the changes cover several areas of policing, including officers’ welfare, working conditions, equipment, infrastructure, training, technology and accountability.
His remarks come against continued pressure on the National Police Service to increase its personnel, improve working facilities and provide officers with modern tools to deal with crime and other security challenges.
President William Ruto inspecting a guard of honor during the 59th Administration Police Recruits Passing-out Parade, at National Police College, Embakasi 'A' Campus, Nairobi, on September 4, 2026. PHOTO/PCS
Data from the latest Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey shows that the country had 101,650 police officers in 2025.
The figure included 68,493 Kenya Police officers, 25,697 Administration Police officers and 7,460 officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
Despite the number of officers, the police-to-population ratio worsened from one officer for every 512 people in 2024 to one for every 525 people in 2025.
A total of 96,038 crimes were reported to police during the year, representing a 5.1 per cent drop from the previous year.
Ruto said the government had therefore placed greater focus on improving the welfare of officers while also ensuring they have the capacity and resources required to perform their duties.
“We have completed the three-phase salary review, raising the entry-level basic salary of police constable by 36% with corresponding adjustments across all the other senior ranks; we are expanding police housing, including here in Embakasi, strengthening healthcare through the Usalama cover, and improving mobility, protective equipment, specialized operational assets, and air support,” he said.
The President also pointed to investments in police infrastructure and the recruitment and training of officers as part of the ongoing changes.
According to Ruto, 252 police stations have been built since 2022, while more than 10,000 officers have been recruited and trained during the same period.
He added that more than 31,000 serving officers had also received professional training to improve their skills while in service.
The reforms are being implemented under the National Police Service Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, which lists infrastructure, staff welfare, digitisation, operational capacity, professionalism and accountability among its key priorities.
The plan also seeks to expand the use of technology within the service and make it easier for members of the public to access police services.
Ruto said technology was already changing how the police operate, with digital systems being introduced for identification and access to services.
“Since 2022, the National Police Service has built 252 police stations, recruited and trained over 10,000 officers, and provided further professional training for more than 31,000 Serving officers, we have operationalised the multi biometric identification system and made police higher services available through eCitizen, while work continues on the national police service information management system, including the digital occurrence book,” the Head of State maintained.
President William Ruto inspecting a guard of honor during the 59th Administration Police Recruits Passing-out Parade, at National Police College, Embakasi 'A' Campus, Nairobi, on September 4, 2026. PHOTO/PCS
He further cited the completion of the National Police Service referral hospital at Mbagadhi as another achievement under the reform programme.
Work is also continuing to equip the police forensic laboratory, as the government seeks to strengthen the service's ability to handle investigations and other specialised operations.
The wider reform programme was informed by the National Task Force on Police Reforms chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga.
The task force examined several areas affecting police officers and the service, including salaries, housing, medical cover, working conditions, equipment, technology and training.
It also considered mental health support for officers as part of efforts to improve their welfare and working environment.
Ruto said the new uniforms recently introduced for general-duty officers should also be seen as part of the broader reform process rather than as a separate government project.
“The new uniforms for general duty officers that we unveiled last week must be understood within this broader reform program. It is not a standalone intervention, but part of the comprehensive transformation of the national police service arising from the reform process,” he said.
He said the uniforms were developed after consultations with police officers and members of the public.
According to the President, the new attire is intended to improve the professional identity of officers, make their work easier and uphold their dignity while carrying out their duties.
Ruto, however, said improvements in the police service must go hand in hand with accountability, noting that the reforms are being funded using public resources.
“And because this entire reform program is undertaken in the public interest and financed with public resources, every aspect of it must withstand scrutiny. We welcome scrutiny of every decision and every shilling spent. Accountability is a constitutional obligation and must rest on facts, evidence, and the truth.”
The Constitution sets out the standards expected of the National Police Service under Article 244.
Among them are professionalism and discipline, prevention of corruption, transparency and accountability, respect for human rights and training officers to high standards of competence and integrity.
Ruto said the success of the reforms would ultimately be judged by the experience of ordinary Kenyans when they interact with the police.
He challenged the newly graduated officers to put the changes into practice by serving all citizens fairly, refusing to engage in corruption and protecting people who are vulnerable.
He also urged them to use their authority with restraint and remain accountable for their actions as they begin their service in the National Police Service.