Inside New Police Unit Formed By Kindiki To Protect Water Facilities

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has gazetted national water management and supply under the critical infrastructure sectors.

To ensure that the water facilities are safeguarded, a special police unit has also been established to protect the infrastructure of the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation against vandalism, theft and access by individuals with criminal intent.

The unit is known as the Water Police Unit (WPU) which will be mandated to ensure the security and safety of the vital water facilities.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki addressing the press on January 30, 2023 /MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

It will also respond to any changing security dynamics, and ensure no criminal activity compromises vital water facilities in up to 34 counties.

The unit will be placed under the Administration Police Service (APS) and will include officers from Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU).

“The government has decided to categorise water infrastructure as part of critical infrastructure, likewise I have gazetted effective this month water infrastructure, reservoirs and all critical water sources as part of critical infrastructure, that falls under the Protected Areas Act which provides special protection,” Kindiki stated.

Water and Sanitation Principal Secretary Paul Rono on his part expressed optimism that the new police unit will address the revenue loss for good.

“The government has been losing billions of shillings because of non-revenue water related to the destruction of water infrastructure, non-payment of water bills and wrong metering and that’s why we are working with the Interior Ministry so as to address this problem once and for all,” Rono stated.

Deputy Inspector General of police Noor Gabow further indicated that the number of officers who will be deployed to different locations across the country to safeguard the facilities under the new unit would depend on the need.

“And just like other police units within the National police service, it will be headed by a commandant,” Gabow stated.

The unit will be launched at Harambee House in Nairobi with the Cabinet Secretary of Water Alice Wahome in attendance.

APS is now a specialized unit that includes border patrols, guarding critical infrastructure and dealing with stock theft.

Under the new structure, the APS has formed units that include the Special Weapons and Tactics team, the Camel Unit, Rapid Deployment Unit, Border Police Unit, APS Stock Theft Prevention Unit and Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit.

The CIPU was established to safeguard electricity, banks, government buildings and installations, water points and cash in transit.

Former Inspector General of Police, Hilary Mutyambai with officers from the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU) on July 17, 2019. /TWITTER.NPS