In a decisive response to a worrying surge in organized crime, the Inspector-General of the National Police Service, Douglas Kanja, has summoned the country’s top police commanders to Nairobi for an urgent strategy meeting.
The high-level summit, convened to address the rising threat of criminal gangs, comes amid mounting public concern over politically connected groups terrorizing residents across the country.
While a handful of suspected gang members have been arrested and prosecuted in recent weeks, the majority of these networks remain at large, posing a severe threat to national stability.
Addressing senior officers during the security summit at the National Police Leadership Academy, Kanja issued a stern warning against operational negligence and declared a zero-tolerance approach to laxity in law enforcement. “If we let them continue with their activities, we are losing it. Let us act now,” Kanja warned, ordering an immediate and intensified nationwide crackdown on all active criminal groups.
The Inspector-General directed commanders to maximize their available resources and adopt adaptive, intelligence-led policing strategies to safeguard lives, properties, and the country’s economic interests.
The high-profile security meeting brought together the elite leadership of Kenya’s security apparatus, including the Kenya Police Service, the Administration Police Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Kanja was flanked by Deputy Inspector-General of the Kenya Police Eliud Lagat, Deputy Inspector-General of the Administration Police Gilbert Masengeli, and DCI Director Mohamed Amin.
A host of specialized unit commandants also attended, including representatives from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), the Border Patrol Unit (BPU), the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), and the forensic and community policing directorates.
The urgency of the security crisis was highlighted by a brazen attack on June 12, 2026, when an armed gang raided a public meeting at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi, robbing attendees of cash and valuables. The meeting had been convened by civic groups to discuss the proposed National Budget.
Thus far, police have arrested five suspects in connection with the church raid. Strikingly, court details reveal that those in custody have implicated a prominent Nairobi Member of Parliament as the mastermind who allegedly hired them to disrupt the budget discussions.
The Cathedral raid has sparked widespread condemnation from civil society and religious leaders, amplifying fears that politically mobilized goons are increasingly being weaponized ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Addressing these growing anxieties, Kanja strongly disowned the trend and vehemently denied allegations that security agencies are protecting politically aligned criminal elements.
The police chief urged his commanders to discharge their duties with absolute professionalism and neutrality, emphasizing that a secure environment is non-negotiable for Kenya’s democratic and socio-economic progress.
