The Service is an independent agency responsible to the President through the Director General.

The NSIS has seven Divisions each headed by a Director appointed by the DG in consultation with the Chairman of the Public Service Commission who oversees recruitment into the Public Service.

• Internal
• External
• Structure
• Analysis and Production
• National Intelligence Academy
• Information and Communication Technology
• Administration

The NSIS Act provides for a Complaints Commission to cater for any party that may be aggrieved by the actions of the Director General or any other staff of the Service. The Commission, which is chaired by a person with qualifications of a High Court Judge is mandated to inquire into complaints against the Service and has the powers of the High Court to summon witnesses, administer oaths, and order the production of any documents relevant to the investigation.

•  Internal

The Internal Division is responsible for gathering Kenyan Internal intelligence on political, social, Economic and security issues.

•  External

The External Division is responsible for the collection of foreign intelligence in relation to political, social, Economic and security issues. In addition, the Division is responsible for Intelligence on organized crime.

•  Operations

This Division is responsible for operational support in the collection of intelligence. The Director for Operations is also responsible for the management of the NSIS' intelligence assets.

• Analysis and Production

Analysis and Production Division has the role of analysis, production and dissemination of intelligence to the NSIS customers.

•  Information and Communications Technology

The Division is responsible for applying information and communication technologies in support of the core function of the Service. It also provides technical support to other essential functions of the Service.

•  National Intelligence Academy

The National Intelligence Academy has the responsibility of identifying the training needs of the Service and implementing training programmes for intelligence officers. Apart from training newly recruited Intelligence Officers, the academy also co-ordinates all other staff training programmes that are not directly related to the core function. It maintains a link with other training institutions with which the NSIS has liaison. These include Government training institutions, pri vate institutions and Universities, and others run by friendly foreign governments.

•  Administration:

This division is responsible for the general administration, financial and Human Resource management of the Service.