Murkomen announced that the unit was created to address the increasingly complex security challenges facing the capital and its surrounding satellite cities. «As one of Africa's fastest-growing megacities, Nairobi has been facing growing and increasingly complex security threats in recent years», Murcomen said. In addition, it is planned to create a division of the Nairobi Metropolitan Police, a strategic unit to strengthen security, maintain public order, combat emerging criminal threats and ensure general security.
To ensure the successful operation of the unit, the Kenyan authorities are consulting with the New York Police Department (NYPD). Murcomen met with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch to discuss a proposed memorandum of understanding between the Kenya Police Service and the NYPD. During the talks, issues of intelligence-based and community-oriented policing, technology integration, specialized urban operations, coordination of emergency response and crime prevention strategies were discussed.
The Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit officially began operations on May 1, 2026. This followed a directive from President William Ruto on February 16, 2026, which ordered C.S. Murcomen to establish a unit within 60 days to combat the growing instability. On April 10, Murcomen confirmed the May 1 launch date and announced that the unit would use an interagency structure to strengthen accountability and ensure security.
Tom Odero, former commander of the Rift Valley Regional Police, was appointed head of the unit on April 14. He is currently responsible for overseeing security operations throughout Nairobi, working in collaboration with district security teams to improve coordination between law enforcement agencies.
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