Said Kiprotich is Kenya’s Anti-Terrorism Police Unit Chief. He shot to the limelight on January 14, 2025, after Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi dragged his name into the saga surrounding his son’s abduction.
The CS revealed that when he decided to physically visit State House to urge President William Ruto to take action on the matter, it was disclosed that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) was holding his son, and that he called Kiprotich among other top security officials to have him freed.
Muturi made the remarks when he recorded a statement with the police at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations – DCI.
However, unknown to many Kenyans, Kiprotich is the former head of the defunct Flying Squad. The unit became popular during the Late President Daniel Moi’s tenure.
Professional Background for Said Kiprotich
DCI boss Mohamed Amin named Said Kiprotich as the Director of Anti-Terrorism Unit in 2023. He took over from Johnstone Kola who had served until his retirement age in the service.
Before that, he was serving as the director of operations at the DCI headquarters.
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Said Kiprotich once served as the director of operations Nairobi Regional Command before he was moved to the DCI serving in the same capacity.
He served as the County Commander for Taita Taveta and the and Special Crimes Prevention Unit.
In 2024, Saidi Kiprotich received a delegation of Staff Delegates from the United States led by the Staff Director of the House Rules Committee Ms. Kelly Dixon Chambers in a courtesy call to Anti-Terrorism Police Unit Headquarters.
Following the visit, a number of agreements were made including partnering in intelligence gathering and sharing, capacity building, donation of modern crime fighting equipment and resource centers development.
“My unit had benefitted immensely courtesy of various sponsored programs by the United States, especially the Mike Solis-led Anti-Terrorism Assistance program,” he noted.
Furthermore, he highlighted some successful convictions on terror suspects that were only achieved through close working evidence analysis between his unit and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation – FBI.
Anti-Terrorism Police Unit
The Unit was formed on 10th February 2003 following terror related attacks directed at the US Embassy in Kenya, hotel industries and due to the emerging radicalization of youths from East Africa Region.
Anti – Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) is a unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
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Mandate of Anti-Terrorism Police Unit
The key mandate of the Unit is countering violent extremism and effectively investigating all terrorism related cases.
Its headquarters is located at the old Nairobi Area.
The Unit has a specialized tactical team that operates under the DCI. This team is composed of personnel selected and vigorously trained to tackle any terror challenge.
Among its important roles that the ATPU plays are, prevent, detect, disrupt and interdict terrorist activities within the country and exhaustively investigate all terrorism related cases take control and secure evidence at all scenes of terrorist incidents.
In addition, the Unit profiles suspected terrorists and establish a databank and shares intelligence with other security agencies operating within the country.
Importantly, ATPU reviews and monitors security of vital installations and public spaces and conducts public awareness on prevention of terrorism.
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