NAIROBI, Kenya — The National Police Leadership Academy (NPLA) on Thursday hosted an external validation session for the Station Youth Liaison Officers’ (SYLO) curriculum, a key milestone in Kenya’s ongoing police reform agenda aimed at improving relations between law enforcement and young people.
The event, held on November 6, 2025, brought together senior police officers, government agencies, and development partners under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) initiative. The session marked a significant step toward institutionalising community-oriented policing practices across the country.
The SYLO curriculum is a transformative training framework designed to equip officers with practical skills in communication, mentorship, peacebuilding, and youth engagement.
The competency-based programme draws from global best practices and aligns with the National Police Service (NPS) Training Policy and ongoing reform priorities.
According to officials, the new training model complements the vision of Inspector General Douglas Kanja to transform police stations into community hubs that foster trust and collaboration between officers and citizens.
“The programme seeks to shift policing from enforcement to partnership,” said Commandant of NPLA, Assistant Inspector General David Mathiu, who lauded the Inspector General’s support for youth-sensitive policing.
“We want officers to understand and respond proactively to youth-related issues, promoting dialogue and trust as a foundation for national stability.”
The NPS expressed gratitude to UNDP and other partners for their continued support in advancing inclusive and community-driven policing. The curriculum is expected to strengthen officers’ ability to prevent crime through engagement and mentorship rather than coercion.
Senior officers present included Deputy Commandant Dr. David Muthondeki (CP), Mr. Daniel Musangi (CP) from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Ms. Sicily Gatiti (CP), Dean of Students at NPLA, Mr. Peter Njoroge (SSP) from the Kenya Prisons Service, and Mr. Nicodemus Alumasa (SP) from the National Police College, Kiganjo.
The session also drew representatives from key justice and governance institutions, including the Witness Protection Agency, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Judiciary, IPOA, the Senate’s Sergeant-at-Arms Office, and UN Women.
NPLA officials said the curriculum validation marks a turning point in building a modern police service rooted in professionalism, human rights, and community partnership — with youth engagement at its core.
