The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has announced the establishment of two new police stations to bolster security operations within the Nairobi Metropolitan Region.
In a gazette notice, Kanja stated, “In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 4 (1) of the National Police Service Act, the Inspector-General designates the establishment, particulars of which is set out in the Schedule hereto to be a police station for the purpose of the Act.”
The two stations named are Kimuchu Police Station in Thika West and Runda Mumwe Police Post in Kiambu East, both of which will now operate as formal law enforcement facilities under the National Police Service.
The decision is aimed at improving police presence and enhancing response time in high-population and high-risk areas within the metropolitan zone.
Establishment of a Police Station
The establishment of a police station in Kenya follows a legal and administrative process guided by the National Police Service Act, 2011.
According to Section 4(1) of the Act, the Inspector General (IG) of Police is empowered to designate and gazette new police stations in areas deemed in need of improved policing and security services.
Before a police station is created, NPS typically conducts a needs assessment. This includes evaluating crime trends, population density, distance from existing stations, and requests from local communities or leaders for improved security infrastructure. Areas with rising insecurity or rapid urban expansion are often prioritised.
Once the need is established, the IG formally issues a Gazette Notice outlining the name, location, and jurisdiction of the new station or post.
This legal notice marks the official recognition of the facility under Kenyan law, giving it the authority to operate and carry out police functions.
After gazettement, the station enters the operational phase, which involves staffing, deploying police officers, installing communication equipment, and allocating vehicles and other resources. The process may involve collaboration between the National Police Service Commission, the Ministry of Interior, and local communities.
The gazettement also enables the public to access policing services closer to their residences, reducing strain on neighbouring stations.
In addition, it forms part of a broader government strategy to decentralize security services and strengthen community policing in both urban and rural areas.
