The resolve by the Kipchumba Murkomen led Interior and Coordination of National Government Ministry to bolster security across the country is on top gears after Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja designated one police station and five police posts across several counties.
The move, aimed at strengthening security infrastructure in key regions was published in the Kenya Gazette Notices issued on January 13 and 19, 2026.
In one gazette notice, the IG designated Kamuguga Police Station in Kiambu County as an official police station under section 40(1) of the National Police Service Act.
The facility, located at GPS coordinates -1.2122°N and 36.6632°E, will now operate with full police station status.
In a separate gazette notice, the Inspector-General designated five additional facilities as police posts across the Nyanza, North Eastern, Rift Valley and Eastern regions.
The newly recognised police posts are:
• Otonglo Police Post – Kisumu West, Kisumu County (Nyanza Region), located at -0.075722, 34.698351 • Mabera Police Post – Kuria West, Migori County (Nyanza Region), located at 1.18333, 34.45 • Lagbogol Police Post – Wajir West, Wajir County (North Eastern Region), located at 1.288474, 39.82857 • Gataka Police Post – Kajiado North, Kajiado County (Rift Valley Region), located at 1.37545, 36.72531 • Thuura Police Post – Imenti East, Meru County (Eastern Region), located at 0.05304, 37.71302
According to the notices, all designations were made under powers granted to the Inspector-General by section 40(1) of the National Police Service Act.
The formal recognition of these stations and posts is expected to enhance access to policing services and improve response to security concerns in the affected counties.
A police station is a full-fledged facility with wider authority, more officers and more services.
It is headed by an Officer Commanding Station (OCS), has a larger number of officers and handles serious reports and investigations such as major assaults, robberies, homicide and sexual offences.
A police station has holding cells, an armoury, vehicles and full administrative offices, and it usually functions as a central point for several smaller posts around it.
It also operates 24/7 with full staffing. On the other hand, a police post is a smaller unit that operates under a parent police station.
It is headed by a non-commissioned officer (often a corporal or sergeant), with fewer officers, sometimes five to ten.
A police post handles basic reports such as lost items, minor disputes and traffic incidents in the area, and has limited or no holding cells. Serious cases are referred to the main police station. A police post exists mainly to bring police presence closer to the community.
