NAIROBI, Kenya, April 12 – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has expressed deep concern over the mental health crisis and welfare challenges facing police officers in Kenya, citing disturbing trends of suicide and violence within the National Police Service.
Speaking during a town hall meeting in Mombasa at the start of a six-day security tour of the Coast Region, Murkomen acknowledged growing cases of distress among officers, linking them to long working hours, poor conditions, and neglect of mental well-being.
“As a Cabinet Secretary, I am deeply concerned about the working hours, conditions, and mental health of our security officers,” he said.
“It is heartbreaking that some of our police officers are silently suffering to the point of harming themselves and their loved ones. This is not acceptable, and we must act decisively.”
He said all police commands have been instructed to ensure that officers exhibiting signs of distress receive immediate medical assistance—without stigma or bureaucratic delay.
The CS also outlined several welfare initiatives, including the allocation of 27,000 housing units under the Affordable Housing Programme to police officers, as directed by President William Ruto.
He added that police and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) would benefit from a subsidised mortgage rate of 3 percent starting in the next financial year.
A new Police Welfare Bill is in development, aimed at supporting officers injured in the line of duty or transitioning into retirement.
Murkomen also noted ongoing efforts to improve the existing insurance cover for police officers.
“We ask them to serve—so it’s our responsibility to ensure they are protected and supported,” he said.
Beyond police welfare, Murkomen addressed other regional concerns, including rising drug and substance abuse among youth, land disputes, and private property invasions.
Principal Administrative Secretary for Internal Security Operations Beverly Opwora commended NGAOs for their role in tracing school-age children and raised concerns over increasing teenage pregnancies.
Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha responded to public complaints over NGAO officer transfers, clarifying that the rotations are not punitive but meant to avoid overfamiliarity with communities.
She noted a national staffing shortage is also contributing to the increased movement of officers.
Murkomen was joined by Immigration Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang, Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir, and MPs including Mishi Mboko, Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni), and Badi Twalib (Jomvu), along with senior ministry and security officials.
The meeting brought together elected leaders, chiefs, civil society groups, youth representatives, and business leaders for discussions on security, youth empowerment, land disputes, alternative justice systems, and public service delivery.
