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The National Police Service (NPS) has unveiled an all-female elite unit police formation dubbed Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to complement other specialised units in combating organised crime.

While presiding over the inaugural graduation of 48 female officers, Interior Cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i said they are job-ready for any security undertaking. 

The 48 commando officers, drawn from the Administration Police Service have gone through five months of physical and combat drilling, which is the first phase of their 15 months-long programmes standardised training.

“The officers are job-ready not only to thwart terror threats and attacks but also enhance general security,” Matiang’i said while presiding over the passing-out ceremony in Ngong on Friday.

Their training featured, among others, the application of Israeli Krav Maga, multiple weapons handling techniques as well as explosive and Improvised Explosive Devices management. 

“The commandos have so far demonstrated unmatched expertise in all the above,” he added.  This is the pioneer female-only elite team of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.

Matiangi said the graduation is timely at a time when Kenya seeks to handle emerging security threats and hostage crises promptly and with precision.

Inspector General of the National Police Service, Hillary Mutyambai said he is committed to progressively increase the contingent in the next intake. 

The IG also commended the collaboration with other stakeholders in the security sector, which has greatly improved service delivery.