Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, on Tuesday, March 10, announced a major change in the officer training program.
Speaking during the launch of his new initiative - Trauma-Informed Policing Initiative at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies in Nairobi, the police boss ordered that his officer incorporate his new curriculum in all courses on offer.
"Healing the uniform program be fully rolled out up to the ward level," Mutyambai announced.
His radical changes in the curriculum come in the wake of the rapid rise of police murder-suicides.
Mutyambai expressed his concern and emphasised on the importance of trying to solve the mental health problem issues once and for all, adding that a mentally sick police officer is a danger not just to themselves but to the entire nation.
In April 2019, a case of suicide murder involving a police officer went viral.
28-year-old mother of two, Peninah Kaimenti, lost her life to a police bullet.
The shocking incident took place in Mtongwe, Mombasa County when the former Likoni police station deputy Joab Omondi approached Peninah's shop, where she used to sell ghat popularly known as muguka in the company of her friend.
The officer, who was dressed in civilian clothing, reportedly demanded that they switch off the music that was playing from the shop.
Upon being questioned who he was and why he wanted the music turned off, it is reported that he got agitated and removed his government-issued pistol demanding his orders be followed.
Eyewitnesses then claimed that he shot in the air before aiming his pistol at those around him and shot Peninah in the head.
Upon realising what he had done, he turned his gun and shot himself.
This and several similar incidents formed the backbone of Mutyambai's new directive, as it highlighted the need to find a lasting solution to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.
The police boss' new orders were listed as:
Muamko Mpya training curriculum be integrated into all courses offered at our National Police Service learning institutions.
Healing the uniform program be fully rolled out up to the ward level.
Regional, Formation and County Commanders create space and adopt practices that enhance peer-to-peer psychological support across ranks and file, and within the command structure.
Counseling offices to be established in all commands in order to align and harmonize the provision of well being and psychosocial programs in the service.
He made it clear that the launch was an affirmation that the psychological well being of officers is now an integral part of the service's policing priorities.
