President William Ruto on Tuesday announced a sweeping package of administrative and security reforms targeting Kenya’s grassroots leadership, during a high-profile meeting with more than 15,000 chiefs and assistant chiefs at State House, Nairobi.
The meeting formed part of the launch of the Jukwaa la Usalama report, which proposes a complete restructuring of national administration and community policing systems.
Village Elders to Receive Monthly Stipend
In a historic move, President Ruto declared that the government will start paying all village elders a monthly stipend of KSh 3,000, beginning July 1, 2026.
The President said the elders — who currently volunteer without pay — play an indispensable role in community intelligence, crisis response, and dispute resolution.
“Village elders are the backbone of our local administration. From July next year, they will receive a monthly stipend of three thousand shillings as recognition of their work,” Ruto said.
He further directed that all elders be formally registered and issued identification cards, integrating them fully into Kenya’s official administrative structure.
Chiefs to Get Tablets and 3,000 Vehicles
To strengthen service delivery, Ruto announced that chiefs and assistant chiefs will be issued smart tablets to digitize record-keeping, reporting and data management at the local level.
The government will also acquire over 3,000 new vehicles to ease mobility for administrators, especially those serving in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Ruto said the digitization effort is aimed at eliminating delays, improving communication with national systems, and enhancing accountability in public service.
New Police Unit Introduced: NGAPU
A major security reform announced during the event is the establishment of a new police formation — the
National Government Administrative Police Unit (NGAPU).
The Inspector-General of Police has been directed to immediately deploy an initial 1,860 officers to operationalize the unit. NGAPU will work closely with chiefs, assistant chiefs and village elders to bolster community policing and respond quickly to emerging security threats.
Ruto emphasized that enhanced cooperation between local administrators and the police is essential for restoring safety and stability at grassroots level.
900 New Police Stations to Be Built
The President further disclosed that the government will construct 900 new police stations across the country within the next two years.
The expansion is intended to bring law-enforcement services closer to citizens, reduce response times, and strengthen presence in rural and semi-urban regions.
Promotion of Chiefs and Administrative Officers
Ruto also ordered the promotion of all chiefs and assistant chiefs who have completed the required training, effective July 1, 2026.
This, he said, is part of a wider effort to professionalize Kenya’s grassroots administrative network.
A New Era for Grassroots Governance
The reforms announced on Tuesday represent one of the most significant overhauls of Kenya’s local administration in decades. With new equipment, expanded police presence, paid village elders, and a specialized police unit dedicated to community security, the government aims to modernize and empower the structures that connect citizens to the state.
Ruto expressed confidence that the changes will “transform grassroots service delivery, strengthen national security, and ensure every Kenyan is served with dignity.”
