A section of police commanders during the meeting at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong on October 29, 2026/NPS

The National Police Service has intensified preparations for the 2027 General Election, bringing together senior commanders to review security plans and strengthen responses to potential threats, including protests that could turn violent.

Convened by Inspector General Douglas Kanja, the high-level senior police commanders’ election security preparedness sensitisation meeting at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong, brings together regional and formation commanders.

The multi-day meeting is focusing on emerging security concerns, election operations timelines and the responsibilities of commanders at county and station levels.

It is aimed at strengthening coordination between the formations of the police and improve intelligence-led deployment ahead of the polls.

The latest preparations come as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) steps up efforts to identify and address risks that could undermine the credibility and peaceful conduct of the elections.

During a national election security forum in September, Kanja said the police were committed to working with the electoral commission and other institutions to protect the electoral process.

“The National Police Service reaffirms its commitment to neutrality, professionalism and readiness to securing a peaceful 2027 General Election,” he said.

A section of senior police officers during the meeting at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong on October 29, 2026/NPS

The IG has identified inter-agency collaboration, command coordination, public order management, respect for human rights and strategic communication as key priorities for the police.

The service is also developing deployment and communication plans to guide operations before, during and after the elections.

The preparations include specialised training for officers, protection of electoral personnel and infrastructure, and coordination with other security agencies to ensure timely responses to emerging threats.

The IEBC has also warned of risks posed by political goonism, organised political gangs, hate speech and the misuse of artificial intelligence to spread misinformation.

Speaking during a pre-election security assessment meeting in Nyeri earlier this month, IEBC Commissioner Francis Aduol said the commission was working with security agencies and other stakeholders to detect and contain threats before they escalate.

“As IEBC, we consider the most serious threats to the 2027 elections to be goonism, political gangsterism and the misuse of artificial intelligence,” Aduol said.

He expressed hope that the threats would be contained in time to ensure peaceful elections.

The commission has also called for stronger early-warning systems, coordinated responses to security incidents and effective investigations into electoral offences.

In September, IEBC acting CEO Ruth Kulundu said the commission was preparing about 200,000 police and special police officers for deployment during the elections. The officers are expected to undergo specialised training on election security, electoral laws and offences.

The Election Security Arrangement Programme brings together the IEBC, National Police Service, Judiciary, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, National Cohesion and Integration Commission and other institutions to coordinate preparedness and responses to electoral risks.

The framework is designed to address security throughout the electoral cycle, including voter registration, party nominations, campaigns, polling, tallying, declaration of results and the post-election period.

The police commanders’ meeting in Ngong is expected to reinforce operational readiness and ensure officers understand their responsibilities in maintaining public order while respecting citizens’ constitutional rights.

The preparations come as Kenya moves towards the August 2027 General Election, with security agencies under pressure to ensure voters and candidates can participate freely without intimidation or violence.