NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 30 – The National Police Service (NPS) has added 27 newly trained Chaplaincy Officers to its ranks, a development linked to ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening officer welfare.
The initiative is part of improved welfare frameworks within the Service, currently being championed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat.
The officers graduated after completing a six-month theology course at the Presbyterian University of East Africa and were commissioned during a ceremony held at PCEA Church, Thome, Nairobi.
They will now serve under the Chaplaincy Directorate, providing spiritual guidance, counselling, and psychosocial support to officers and their families.
The expansion of the Chaplaincy unit comes at a time when police leadership has increasingly emphasised the importance of mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing in enhancing operational effectiveness.
The welfare-focused approach recognises that officers operate under demanding and high-pressure environments that require structured internal support systems.
Speaking at the ceremony, Director of Chaplaincy at the Kenya Police Service, Francis Koli, described the graduation as a milestone in strengthening welfare mechanisms within the Service.
He noted that the presence of trained chaplains across formations will improve access to guidance and counselling for officers.
The 24th General Assembly Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Rt Rev Thegu Mutahi, reaffirmed the church’s support for the Police Service and urged the graduates to lead by example, serving with integrity, compassion, and a sense of duty to both the Service and the community.
DIG Lagat has consistently emphasised the role of professionalism, character, and trust in policing.
In a recent address, he noted that public confidence in the police is built not only on enforcement, but also on humanity, dignity, and ethical conduct, values closely aligned with strengthened welfare and support structures.
“Our society watches us not with mere expectation, but with hope. They hope for professionalism that respects their dignity and for protectors who understand that true security is built on trust. Carry that hope with you. Be the officer who rebuilds bridges,” he said.
The National Police Service maintains that investing in officer wellbeing is central to delivering effective, people-centred policing and fulfilling its constitutional mandate to serve and protect.
