Government forms new Water Police Unit (WPU)

Kenya Police/Photo Courtesy
By Hubzmedia reporter
The government has formed a specialized police unit to curb the rising cases of vandalism and
theft of the country’s water supply and sanitation infrastructure.
The Water Police Unit (WPU) will comprise of officers draw from the Administration Police
Service and will be integrated into the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU).
To actualize the move, Interior Cabinet Secretary has announced the immediate designation of
state water management and supply under the category of critical infrastructure sectors.
“Effective this month, water infrastructure, and water reservoirs as part of critical infrastructure
that falls under the Protected Areas Act (Cap. 204), which provides for procedures of removal of
persons who might be found in those places without authorization,” he said.
This warrants special protection of all storage and supply assets, systems, and networks owned
and operated by the eight Water Works Development Agencies (WWDAs) across the country.
Prof. Kindiki disclosed numerous failed attacks targeted at water facilities and attempts by
criminals seeking to access the infrastructure, which informed the decision to establish the
dedicated team to guard against any compromise on the safety and supply to consumers.
The Unit will protect storage and supply assets, systems, and networks owned
and operated by the eight Water Works Development Agencies (WWDAs) across the country.
Other existing units include:
- General Service Unit.
- Dog Unit.
- Kenya Airports Police Unit.
- Marine Police Unit.