The first test for Kenya’s newly trained police officers will not be on the streets, but in how they conduct themselves, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said, warning them against corruption, alcohol abuse and behaviour that could bring the police uniform into disrepute.
Murkomen said the 59th cohort of Administration Police recruits was joining the National Police Service at a time when Kenyans expected officers to be disciplined, honest and ready to serve with responsibility.
Speaking during the 59th Administration Police Recruits Passing-Out Parade at the National Police College, Embakasi ‘A’ Campus in Nairobi, on Friday, the CS said the officers had completed nine months of training and would now be expected to put their skills into practice while protecting the confidence placed in them by the public.
“I also want to pass this message to the officers who are graduating here that we really value you. You have our unwavering support from the ministry. We will walk with you on the journey. Please make sure that you take your responsibility seriously. Do not be tempted to engage in acts of corruption,” Murkomen said.
He told the officers that the responsibility that comes with wearing a police uniform extended beyond their official duties, warning that their conduct could either strengthen or damage public confidence in the National Police Service.
The Inspector-General of the National Police Service, Mr. Douglas Kanja, MGH, CBS, OGW (R), with Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, arriving at National Police College, Embakasi ‘A’ Campus ahead of recruits passing-out parade on September 4, 2026. PHOTO/PCS
Murkomen specifically cautioned the new officers against alcohol abuse and irresponsible behaviour, saying they should remember the respect attached to the uniform and conduct themselves in a manner that protects its dignity.
“In the period of your service, please protect the uniform, the dignity that comes with this uniform. The respect that the people of Kenya give you depends also on how you carry yourself,” he said.
The CS's message comes as the government continues to push for greater professionalism and accountability within the police service.
Article 244 of the Constitution requires the National Police Service to maintain high standards of professionalism and discipline, prevent corruption, promote transparency and accountability, respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and build strong ties with the wider society.
Murkomen also turned his attention to the welfare of police officers, saying mental health should receive greater attention within the service.
He said officers should not feel forced to deal with personal or work-related challenges on their own and called on commanders to create an environment where colleagues can seek help without fear.
“Public servants are struggling with mental health. Officers are struggling with mental health, and the National Police Service, including when we went around the country to Jukwaa la Usalama, requested that we put more emphasis on mental health challenges,” he said.
Murkomen urged officers facing difficulties to speak to colleagues while asking those in charge of police units to become more supportive of officers going through mental health challenges.
“You don't need to keep quiet. Speak to your neighbour. Speak to your colleague. We want to ask our OCSSs and those who supervise police officers to become more courteous and engaging, and understand the officers when they have mental health challenges,” Murkomen said.
The Interior CS also reaffirmed the government's commitment to respecting the constitutional independence of the National Police Service, particularly the authority of the Inspector General.
Article 245 gives the Inspector General independent command of the service while allowing the Cabinet Secretary responsible for police services to issue policy directions.
The law bars the CS from interfering with specific investigations, enforcement of the law against particular individuals and decisions on the employment, assignment, promotion, suspension or dismissal of officers.
“The Inspector General of Police retains the command of the National Police Service, especially on matters of investigations, promotion matters, deployment of officers without the interference of anyone, including the Cabinet Secretary. We will continue respecting Article 245 of the Constitution,” he said.
Murkomen also expressed confidence in Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and defended the direction of his leadership of the National Police Service.
The call for more disciplined and professional officers comes as the service continues to face staffing pressures.
Kenya's 2026 Economic Survey recorded 101,650 National Police Service officers in 2025. The figure included 68,493 Kenya Police officers, 25,697 Administration Police officers and 7,460 officers serving in the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The overall police-to-civilian ratio stood at one officer for every 525 people.
The National Police Service Commission approved a plan in 2025 to recruit 10,000 police constables, citing the need to strengthen the service as it deals with natural attrition and other factors affecting its staffing levels.
Murkomen said the demand for more officers from communities across the country showed how important policing remained to Kenyans.
“Every time I go to the countryside or visit various urban areas, you will see the greatest request that people of Kenya want is to see more officers in their police station, more officers patrolling their streets, more officers helping in enforcing the law,” he said.
He said the government had consequently placed recruitment, training, equipment and the welfare of officers among its priorities as it seeks to improve security.
“Despite the fact that we need equipment, the most critical resource is the human resource. Our officers are the most valuable asset in this sector, without whom no equipment, no apparatus, nothing can be deployed without the personal presence of the troops on the ground,” he said.
The National Police Service Commission has also listed police reforms, recruitment, digital transformation, counselling services and better welfare for officers among its priorities.
Murkomen urged the newly graduated officers to remember that public confidence would be shaped not only by how they perform their duties, but also by how they conduct themselves outside official assignments.
He challenged them to uphold the law, remain disciplined and protect the dignity of the uniform as they begin their careers in the National Police Service.
The CS said the country needed officers who could exercise authority responsibly while remaining committed to the Constitution and the trust placed in them by the public.