It is overseen by the Deputy Inspector of Police (DIG), who currently is Gilbert Masengeli, MBS, OGW, SS.

During the early period of independence, to the late 1970s, the APS transformed itself from being a localized police service to one where personnel served in all parts of the country.

[4] The 1960s also saw the APS establish its place in post-independence national security, by carrying out counter-insurgency assignments against Shifta rebels in northern Kenya.

There was also an introduction of new units to address border security, counterterrorism, and banditry, with enhanced operational capabilities beyond ordinary law enforcement.

The APS is divided into headquarters, training colleges, and formed units, which are equipped to carry out police duties, including preserving law and order and responding to national emergencies.

[8] The AP operational deployment was initially composed of officers seconded from other divisions, as well as Administration Police Training College (APTC) staff and course mates, to counter specific hostilities.

As a result, it has a pool of specially trained and prepared personnel on standby who possess ready supplies, transport, and material to support deployment.

A commandant heads it, and is authorized to deploy personnel within Kenya to respond to any emergency or threat to law and order for a particular period.

The idea of a Border Patrol Unit was recommended by the then–Senior Deputy Commandant (I) of the AP Alhaji Omar Shurie, (SAIG, Egypt 2), a senior fieldcraft and tactics/jungle warfare instructor.

The task of the BPU is to detect and prevent cross-border crimes through border patrol and to conduct terrorist interdiction operations.

The unit's training institution is the Border Patrol School, also based at Kanyonyo, Joshua Wambua, SSP, (a decorated jungle warfare/ ballistics/ forensics instructor) as the C.O.

Recently the National Police Service acquired armoured personnel carriers (APCs) from China's defense corporation Norinco.

The commandant of the unit, which is based in Gilgil, now reports directly to the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police.

It is now headed by Lazarus Opicho, SS, HSC, ndc(K) https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-08-14-masengeli-names-new-deputy-moves-top-aps-officers Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU) was formed in late 2016,[citation needed] following increased threats to critical infrastructure, such as power lines, fiber optic lines, roads, and data centers.

Administration Police wear badges of rank on their uniforms (enlisted ranks—constable to senior sergeant—on the sleeves, and officer ranks—inspector to inspector general—on the shoulders).

After being approved by the National Police Service Commission in 2016, the uniforms committee unveiled new insignia for the revised rank structure.