Police boss Kanja warns of security gaps ahead of 2027 elections
The National Police Service has warned of major operational gaps that could undermine security preparedness ahead of the country’s next general elections, revealing shortages of vehicles, electricity and essential equipment across police stations nationwide.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja told the National Assembly Administration and Internal Security Committee that the service requires an additional Sh21 billion to strengthen operations and address the critical shortfalls.
Appearing before the committee chaired by Gabriel Tongoyo, Kanja said nearly half of police stations in the country do not have vehicles, while several others are operating without electricity.
“Fifty per cent of our police stations do not have vehicles, and we are also struggling with fuel,” Kanja told MPs. “Yes, there are many police stations without power.”
The funding request presented to Parliament includes Sh20.16 billion for recurrent expenditure and Sh1.5 billion for development spending.
The allocation would support day-to-day operations, infrastructure development and recruitment of additional officers to improve national security ahead of the elections.
According to the breakdown submitted to the committee, Sh5.9 billion would go toward insurance costs, Sh3.2 billion for security operations, Sh2 billion for police communication equipment, and Sh1 billion for fuel.
The proposal also includes Sh1.6 billion to recruit 10,000 police constables and another Sh1 billion for specialised operational materials.
The police service had initially been allocated Sh127 billion at the start of the current financial year.
Kanja also revealed that the service is facing a staffing deficit of about 15,000 officers and outlined plans to increase recruitment to boost manpower ahead of the elections.
However, members of the parliamentary committee raised concerns over budget adjustments and questioned why predictable expenditures such as salaries were being revised after the budget had already been approved.
Some legislators also criticised the use of Article 223 of the Constitution of Kenya, which allows government spending without prior parliamentary approval in emergencies, warning that the provision was sometimes being misused for non-urgent expenditures.
Lawmakers further questioned the rising cost of pending bills related to the construction of the National Police Service Referral Hospital – Mbagathi in Nairobi. The hospital’s construction cost has increased to Sh833 million from the original Sh400 million estimate.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma criticised the escalating cost, terming it a sign of possible corruption.
“This is corruption. We will not allow this to continue to be part of this request,” Kaluma said.
Meanwhile, the police service said it had reduced Sh1.4 billion previously overestimated under personnel emoluments due to staff exits and delays in recruitment.
Separately, the committee also met officials from the National Police Service Commission led by chairperson Amani Komora, who confirmed that guidelines had been issued for an additional salary increment for police officers.
