A Deepening Crisis

The National Police Service (NPS) has launched a new Psychosocial Support Training Program aimed at addressing a severe and escalating mental health crisis within its ranks. The initiative, announced on Wednesday, 13 November 2025, at Africa International University in Karen, Nairobi, is a collaboration with the university and is supported by the Disability Mainstreaming Foundation of Kenya (DMF-Kenya). This move comes in response to stark statistics and numerous tragic incidents of suicide and homicide involving police officers, which have cast a long shadow over the service and its ability to protect the public effectively.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, speaking at the launch, highlighted the grim reality faced by officers. "Police officers worldwide tend to suffer from mental health challenges at a higher rate than the general public. Studies have shown that law enforcement officers are at greater risk of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and even suicide," Kanja stated. The sentiment is backed by alarming data; a 2021 NPS report revealed that between 2016 and 2020, there were an average of 13 murders and 11 suicides per year within the service. Some reports indicate that as many as 20,000 officers suffer from depression or other psychological disorders. Another 2021 report cited by mental health experts suggested about 60 officers commit suicide annually due to social, financial, and workplace pressures.

New Program, Renewed Hope?

The newly launched program is designed to improve mental health awareness and equip officers with the necessary tools to manage stress and trauma. This initiative is the latest in a series of attempts to address the problem. In November 2022, then-newly appointed Inspector General Japhet Koome established a Welfare Directorate to address rising mental illness cases. This followed a shocking admission by his predecessor, Hillary Mutyambai, that medical examinations had found approximately 2,000 officers mentally unfit to serve. Other past initiatives include the 'Muamko Mpya' (Healing the Uniform Initiative) launched in 2019 to provide psychological support.

Despite these efforts, challenges persist. A key issue has been the deep-seated stigma surrounding mental illness in a profession that values strength and resilience. IG Kanja acknowledged this, noting, "Tragically, many officers shy away from seeking mental health support, often delaying critical interventions." The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has previously admitted that its counselling services are overstretched and inadequate to meet the rising demand. With only a limited number of regional counselling centres, many officers, particularly in vast and volatile regions, lack accessible mental health services.

Legislative and Institutional Support

There is growing political will to enforce change. In September 2025, the National Assembly passed the National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which mandates the establishment of well-equipped mental health and wellness centres for police in all 47 counties. Sponsored by Suna West MP Peter Masara, the bill aims to embed psychosocial support within the legal framework of the police service. This legislative push complements the NPS's own internal efforts, such as the Directorate of Chaplaincy and Counseling, which provides spiritual and psychosocial support.

The triggers for mental distress are multifaceted, ranging from exposure to traumatic events like violent crime scenes and accidents to financial difficulties, marital problems, and unfair treatment by superiors regarding transfers and promotions. Research has consistently shown that work-related trauma is a major factor contributing to suicide and murder among officers in Kenya. The new partnership with Africa International University and other stakeholders like Chiromo Hospital Group and MIDRIFT HURINET represents a multi-pronged approach, combining academic expertise with on-the-ground support.

The ultimate goal, as articulated by officials, is to create a supportive environment where officers feel comfortable seeking help. The success of this latest initiative will be critical not only for the well-being of Kenya's police officers but also for the safety and security of the citizens they are sworn to protect. As IG Kanja noted, addressing officers' mental health will directly contribute to better service delivery for the public. The event was attended by senior police leadership, including Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, Deputy Inspector General (APS) Gilbert Masengeli, and DCI Director Mohamed Amin, signalling a unified command-level commitment to the program's success.