Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen arrived in New York City for a learning tour of its Police Department.
New York Police Department is one of the world’s most successful urban security institutions.
The visit comes ahead of the establishment of the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit, a strategic intervention to bolster security, maintain public order, combat emerging criminal threats, and ensure overall safety in the city and its satellite towns.
“The New York Police Department will offer us insights into intelligence-led and community-oriented policing, technology integration, specialised urban operations, emergency response coordination, and crime prevention strategies, among other areas of our interest,” said Murkomen ahead of the tour.
As one of Africa’s fastest growing metropolitan centres, Nairobi has in recent years faced evolving and increasingly complex security threats.
In response, President William Ruto in February directed the establishment of the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit (NMPU) to combat insecurity and safeguard economic interests in the city.
With over 35,000 uniformed officers, the NYPD is the largest municipal police department in the United States and one of the world’s most successful and effective urban security institutions, making it a valuable model from which Kenya can learn.
“We are drawing lessons and best practices from NYPD because it’s one of the world’s most effective metropolitan police services,” noted Murkomen.
Upon arrival, the CS met with Ms Jessica Tisch, the NYPD Police Commissioner, with whom he discussed a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Kenya Police Service and the NYPD on the establishment of the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit.
The CS is accompanied by Nairobi City County Governor Johnson Sakaja and Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, among other stakeholders. Also present was Kenya’s Ambassador to the US, David Kerich.
Kenya has already consulted security officials and city leaders from New York, London, and Rome on the proposed policing model.
The unit, expected to begin operations by July, will focus on smart policing, visible patrols, and mandatory body cameras for officers.
Sakaja, however, admitted the timeline set by Ruto may not be achieved.
The proposal is also likely to spark constitutional debate, as policing is currently a national government function under Kenyan law.
Murkomen on Wednesday praised the progress of establishment of the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit, saying he was confident the technical team will come up with a “people-facing command structure.”
He said the Unit will significantly enhance security and public order in the city and its surroundings.
“I am gratified that the team is learning from some of the best metropolitan police units in the world in coming up with the administrative structure, service standing orders and standard operating procedures,” said the CS.
“The Unit will strengthen response to emerging security challenges, improve inter-agency collaboration, and promote cooperation between the police and the public.”
The formation of the Unit follows the cooperation agreement between the national Government and Nairobi City County to make the city and its satellite towns safer for residents, visitors and investors.
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