Parliament Buildings, Nairobi – Friday, 20th February 2026: The National Police Service (NPS) has raised concerns over operational strain, citing a widening funding gap ahead of the FY 2026/27 budget cycle.
Appearing before the Administration and Internal Security Committee chaired by Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo, Inspector General Douglas Kanja said the Service requires enhanced resource allocation to improve operational efficiency.
IG Kanja told lawmakers that additional funding is needed to procure crowd and riot control equipment as well as motor vehicles to boost police mobility across the country.
“The recent riots have depleted the NPS stock of equipment necessary to ensure that police officers do not resort to live ammunition. In addition, the lack of vehicles has led to delays in police response, thereby hindering service delivery,” he said.
He further identified security operations, enhancement of air support services, and training and capacity building as key priority areas requiring urgent financial support.
IPOA Seeks Funds to Clear Case Backlog
The Committee also met officials from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), who disclosed that the Authority requires Ksh 73.6 million to clear 840 backlog investigations out of 3,935 cases.
IPOA Chief Executive Officer Elema Halake said the Authority has made notable progress in its oversight mandate but faces budgetary constraints. He requested an additional allocation of Ksh 710.59 million to bridge the shortfall and support critical activities.
Meanwhile, the State Department for Parliamentary Affairs, led by Dr. Aurelia Rono, sought an increase of Ksh 1,631 million to address underfunded programmes.
The Administration and Internal Security Committee is expected to table its report on the budget proposals before the House in the coming weeks.
The deliberations come at a time when security agencies are under increasing pressure to enhance operational readiness while maintaining accountability and public trust.
