National Assembly Passes Bill to Establish Mental Health Support Centres for Police Officers

Kericho, Kenya — September 26, 2025 (EAT).

Kenya’s National Assembly has passed the National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introducing a major policy shift aimed at safeguarding the mental health and wellbeing of police officers.

The Latest

The bill, sponsored by Peter Masara, MP for Suna West, mandates the establishment of psychosocial support centres across the country. These centres will provide professional counselling, trauma support, and mental health interventions for officers facing occupational stress, exposure to violence, and post-traumatic challenges common in policing.

The passage was confirmed by the National Assembly on its official X account, signalling a strong legislative commitment to prioritising officer welfare.

“The primary objective of the Bill is to make provision for the mental wellness and wellbeing of police officers, including but not limited to the establishment of psychosocial support centres for police officers,” the statement read.

Context in Brief

Kenya’s police service has long grappled with cases of depression, alcoholism, family breakdowns, and suicides linked to stressful work conditions. Previous studies by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) and Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have highlighted mental health risks as a major occupational hazard, especially among officers in high-crime and terror-prone areas.

Law, Policy, and Process

• Relevant Statutes: National Police Service Commission Act; Mental Health Act; Labour Relations Act.

• Mandate: NPSC will coordinate with the Ministry of Health and County Governments to roll out psychosocial centres nationwide.

• Next Steps: The Bill moves to the Senate for concurrence before presidential assent.

Voices and Stakeholders

• Government: MP Peter Masara called the bill “a first step in humanising the police service and ensuring officers serve without sacrificing their mental health.”

• Police Leadership: Inspector General Japhet Koome previously admitted mental health is “a silent crisis within the service” requiring urgent policy action.

• Civil Society: Rights groups have welcomed the bill, urging budgetary allocation to avoid delays in implementation.

Evidence & Data

• Suicide Cases: IPOA’s 2023 report recorded over 50 police suicides annually, many linked to untreated stress and trauma.

• Manpower: Kenya has 105,000+ police officers serving a population of 55 million, creating high workloads per officer.

• Legal Precedent: Similar wellness initiatives exist in South Africa and the UK for law enforcement personnel.

Risks and Implications

• Governance: Without funding guarantees, the programme risks stalling after enactment.

• Security: Improved mental health could reduce cases of police misconduct, violence, and absenteeism.

• Public Trust: Humanising the police may boost citizen confidence in law enforcement institutions.

What We Don’t Know Yet

• Timeline for centre construction and staffing.

• Whether the programme will extend to retired officers suffering from service-related trauma.

• Budgetary allocation per psychosocial centre and oversight mechanisms.

Timeline

• 2024: Bill introduced by MP Peter Masara.

• 2025-09-26: Bill passed by National Assembly.

• Next: Awaiting Senate concurrence and presidential assent.

What to Watch

• Senate debate date and possible amendments.

• Treasury’s allocation for rollout in FY 2025/2026.

• Police Service reforms tied to mental health and wellness.

Related Coverage

• Police Reforms: Kenya’s Push for Modernisation and Accountability

• Mental Health Act Reforms and Their Impact on Public Safety