List of All Administration Police Units in Kenya

Earlier this month Kenyans witnessed familiar passing out parades at two colossal police academies in Embakasi and Kiganjo.

The spectacular events were the first under Kenya’s new Commander in Chief President William Samoei Ruto.

In his remarks to the young Administration Police graduates, President Ruto stated that the highly trained officers would be deployed to various parts of Kenya under different units.

So which are the Administration Police Units that contribute to securing Kenya? Here is a list of the elite Administration Police units;

1. Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU)

1. 1. Formed in 2000, the Rapid Deployment Unit is a specialized formation that is dedicated to addressing conflict in specific localities.
   2. Places like Kapedo, Kerio Valley, and Pokot in Kenya have been synonymous with armed conflict for quite some time.
   3. The RDU, colloquially known as Radi excels in such situations, having received tactical expeditionary training.
   4. President Ruto directed the deployment of RDU personnel to help pacify and bring order in various areas of northern Kenya.
   5. The recent bizarre incident where a cabinet secretary was caught in the crossfire between cattle rustlers is a classic case that would trigger the attention of the RDU.
   6. As the RDU-designate young officers celebrated their feat with their parents earlier this month, they had their marching orders from the president.
   7. It is important to note that officers in this unit undertake refresher courses from time to time to keep them mission ready.
   8. The Rapid Deployment Unit is often likened to the well-known General Service Unit.

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2. Border Patrol Unit (BPU)

1. 1. The Border Patrol Unit is an Administration Police formation that mainly operates in the margins of Kenya along the border.
   2. It is also responsible for roadblocks mounted on Kenya’s roads where tons of criminals have been arrested.
   3. This makes the unit a very important security organ in managing cross-border crime.
   4. In one of his first visits, newly appointed cabinet secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki toured the unit’s headquarters and training installation at Kanyonyo, Kitui County.
   5. The Ministry of Interior and National Administration boss called for an increase in roadblocks by the Border Patrol Unit to apprehend criminals coming from outside or fleeing from Kenya.
   6. The success of the BPU mainly borders on thwarting terrorist attacks, and nabbing drugs, and human trafficking syndicates.
   7. Illegal movement of persons into Kenya via land/roads is also a preserve of the Border Patrol Unit.

3. Security of Government Buildings Unit (SGB)

1. 1. Security of Government Buildings was formed in the late 1970s to provide security for government buildings within the Nairobi area.
   2. The services they provide include;
      1. 1. Bodyguards and close protection of leaders and government officials
         2. Guarding cash for government and private institutions during transportation
         3. Guarding residences of approved persons.
   3. The most notable event in the recent history of SGB involved the then deputy president now president, Dr. William Ruto.
   4. In a shocking reshuffle of his security, SGB officers were sent to guard his Karen official residence replacing the elite G Company officers.
   5. G Company, a specialized wing of the General Service Unit is tasked with securing the president of the Republic of Kenya and his deputy.
   6. Dr. Ruto took it in his stride and embraced the new team, as evident in the viral pictures of him and the officers drinking tea at the compound’s plush gardens.

4. Anti-Stock-Theft Unit

1. 1. Cattle rustling, initially a cultural practice among Kenyan pastoral communities has turned out to be a deadly crime syndicate.
   2. It has dominated political agenda and discussion for years, leading to the formation of the Anti-Stock-Theft Unit in 2018.
   3. The unit is mainly deployed to parts of the former Rift Valley province where cattle rustling is rampant.
   4. The commandant of the Unit is based in Gilgil and has about 13 companies answering to him.
   5. It has the following specific duties;
      1. 1.  Anti-stock theft operations
         2. Stock –theft investigations.
         3. Preventive work on stock theft.
         4. Crowd Control by use of Horses

5. Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU)

1. 1. The Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU) is a specialized unit for securing important infrastructure such as high voltage powerlines, data centers, power substations, and oil fields.
   2. These are the officers you see posted along the perimeter of the Central Bank of Kenya buildings, The Times Tower KRA headquarters, among other government installations.
   3. Critical infrastructure is often vulnerable to vandalism and sabotage if left unprotected.
   4. This is why the CIPU is the largest unit in the Administration Police Service to secure the country’s lifeline infrastructure.