KIGANJO, Kenya — Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS) Douglas Kanja on Tuesday officially opened the Basic Recruit Training Course No. 1/2025 at the National Police College (NPC) Main Campus in Kiganjo, calling on new recruits to embrace discipline, integrity, and people-centred policing as they begin their careers.
The ceremony, held on December 16, marked the formal admission of a new cohort of recruits drawn from across the country following what the NPS described as a highly competitive recruitment exercise.
Mr Kanja was accompanied by Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat and received at the college by Commandant Munga Nyale alongside senior officers.
Addressing the recruits, the Inspector General congratulated them on their selection and reminded them that the National Police Service is a constitutional security organ mandated to maintain law and order, enforce the law and safeguard public safety.
“Your enlistment into the Service reflects your potential, character and commitment to serving the nation,” Mr Kanja said. “The badge you aspire to wear symbolises a solemn promise to protect and serve, often at great personal risk.”
He underscored that the training programme would equip the recruits with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for professional policing, stressing that effective law enforcement must be anchored in accountability and public trust.
“This is not just a job. You have a responsibility to be part of the change that this country desires to see in its police service,” the Inspector General said. “Kenyans deserve effective, people-centred and accountable policing for a safe and prosperous society.”
Mr Kanja also highlighted discipline and teamwork as core values that must guide officers throughout their careers, noting that lapses in conduct undermine public confidence in law enforcement agencies.
The opening of the training course comes amid ongoing national conversations on police reforms, human rights compliance and the need to strengthen professionalism within the Service.
The Constitution of Kenya and the National Police Service Act require officers to uphold human dignity, observe the rule of law, and exercise their powers responsibly.
In addition to the recruit intake, the event also served as a farewell ceremony for outgoing Deputy Commandant Esther Wangechi Mwangi, AIG, who is retiring after more than 36 years of service in the National Police Service. Ms Mwangi served at the National Police College for over 13 years.
Senior officers praised her record, citing professionalism, integrity, and dedication to duty. The NPS said she retires “with a lasting legacy of honour, dedication and devoted service”.
Several senior officials attended the ceremony, including Deputy Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations John Onyango, Director of Training-NPS Philip Opiyo, Director of Corporate Communications and NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, and Director of Training-APS Bianca Ndanu, among others.
The Basic Recruit Training Course No. 1/2025 is expected to run for several months, during which recruits will undergo rigorous physical, academic, and ethical training before deployment to various units within the Service.
As Kenya continues to grapple with security challenges ranging from urban crime to cross-border threats, the leadership of the National Police Service has repeatedly emphasised that professional training and values-based policing are critical to restoring public confidence and strengthening internal security.
