KIGANJO, Kenya — The National Police Service has intensified efforts to strengthen professional policing through a specialised communication and media engagement training for senior officers undergoing leadership training at the National Police College in Kiganjo.
According to the Service, 119 officers drawn from the Kenya Police Service (KPS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are currently undertaking the six-month Higher Training Course (HTC), which is designed to prepare them for future leadership roles as senior police commanders.
The training session, held on May 6, was led by NPS Spokesperson and Director of Corporate Communications Muchiri Nyaga and focused on the theme “Effective Communication as a Pillar of Professional Policing.”
In a statement, the Service said the programme seeks to equip officers with critical communication and media engagement skills aligned with NPS policies, ethical standards, and constitutional obligations.
Mr. Nyaga emphasised the growing importance of strategic communication in modern policing, particularly in building trust between law enforcement agencies, the media, and the public.
He highlighted legal and policy frameworks governing communication within the Service, including provisions under the National Police Service Act and Service Standing Orders.
He also cautioned officers on balancing the public’s constitutional right to access information with the operational need to protect sensitive investigations and ongoing security operations.
The training further addressed the use of social media by police officers, with the NPS warning against sharing official or uniformed content online without proper authorisation.
Officers were also taken through crisis communication and incident management procedures, with emphasis placed on accuracy, accountability, professionalism, and ethical conduct during public engagements.
The programme included practical simulation exercises such as mock press briefings and scene-of-crime response scenarios aimed at testing officers’ preparedness in handling high-pressure interactions with journalists and members of the public.
The initiative comes at a time when scrutiny of police conduct and public communication has intensified in Kenya, particularly following recent incidents involving allegations of excessive force, enforced disappearances, and human rights violations.
Under Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya, citizens have the right to access information held by the state, while Article 244 requires the National Police Service to uphold professionalism, discipline, transparency, and accountability in carrying out its mandate.
The NPS said the training reflects its broader commitment to continuous professional development and institutional reforms intended to improve service delivery and public confidence in policing.
“The Service remains steadfast in promoting transparency and accountability, in full compliance with the Constitution, and in upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms in the discharge of its mandate,” the statement said.
