At least 800 police officers have so far been declared unfit to serve under the National Police Service (NPS).
An evaluation report stated that the officers cannot discharge their mandate of maintaining law due to various medical and psychological reasons.
Speaking during a medical assessment of police officers in the Central region in Nyeri on Wednesday, October 27, the National Police Service Commission Vice-chairman Alice Otwala noted that many of those found to be unwell were either injured in bandit attacks losing their limbs or eyesight.
"Many of the officers we have found unwell were either disabled during contact with bandits, accidents or are either suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes, she stated.
Otwala further revealed that the commission is seeking to assign the officers other responsibilities and enlighten them on insurance cover policies.
"We are profiling them with a view to advising them on insurance cover or recommending them to perform other duties," said Otwala.
Police officers have lately been on the spot due to cases of brutal killing of their colleagues and members of the public or suicide. In a move to counter this, the commission has hired 59 counselors to specifically take care of the officer's physiological needs.
"At the moment we have these counselors who will be devolved soon at all the 47 counties to ensure that all our officers with mental problems are supported before it is too late . This will curtail cases where some officers suffering mental illness have gone on shooting spree, " said Otwala.
This comes two days after a police officer attached to Masalani Police Station reportedly blew himself up with a hand grenade.
According to Ijara Sub County Police Commander, William Oyugi, the officer had been involved in a heated argument with his girlfriend. Enraged, the officer allegedly stabbed his girlfriend to death before detonating the explosive.
Alluding to this, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i affirmed that the government is committed to addressing the challenges faced by the police sector.
A technical team was also formed, drawn from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), National Police Service (NPS), and Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), to actualize reforms in the security sector.
