The KPR exists in rural areas of Kenya as an auxiliary force to combat cattle theft and armed banditry.
[1] Many of those involved in cattle theft in rural Kenya carry firearms smuggled from neighboring countries such as Somalia or South Sudan.
[1] In May 2004 the Kenya Government disbanded the KPR in urban areas, noting that the various city units had become corrupt and unmanageable.
In May 2019 the Inspector General disarmed the KPR in north rift counties, citing reports of reservists misusing their weapons.
[3] In June 2019, the Kenyan government selected 40 KPR personnel to undergo training at the National Police College Magadi.
[4] In March 2022, the Kenyan government rearmed the KPR in rural areas under pressure from civilians, mostly in Baringo North and South constituencies, who complained that the reservists had been vital in combating criminal activity.