NGONG, Kenya — The National Police Service (NPS) has concluded a three-day leadership training workshop for Sub-County Commanders at the National Police Leadership Academy (NPLA) in Ngong, as part of efforts to strengthen command effectiveness, professionalism, and accountability within the Service.
The programme brought together 25 officers drawn from the Kenya Police Service (KPS), Administration Police Service (APS), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) serving in Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado counties.
According to the NPS, the Command Strategy for Sub-County Commanders’ Leadership Training Workshop was designed to enhance leadership capacity, improve decision-making, and equip commanders with modern policing skills needed to address emerging security challenges.
Participants underwent training in a range of areas, including operational policies and frameworks within the National Police Service, public engagement, effective communication, human rights-centred policing, professionalism, accountability, trust-building, and transparency.
The officers were also trained on technology and digitisation in policing, performance management, staff development, coaching and supervision, occupational stress management, and strategies aimed at improving efficiency and productivity in police operations.
The closing ceremony was presided over by National Police Leadership Academy Commandant David Mathiu, an Assistant Inspector General of Police, who reaffirmed Inspector General Douglas Kanja’s commitment to strengthening leadership and service delivery across the National Police Service.
Mathiu said effective leadership remains central to improving operational effectiveness, discipline, public confidence, and the quality of services offered by law enforcement officers.
He urged the commanders to apply the skills acquired during the training in their respective jurisdictions and emphasised the need for professionalism, sound judgment, and strict adherence to the rule of law.
“The management of policing operations requires leaders who are professional, accountable, and committed to respecting human rights while ensuring public safety,” Mathiu said.
He further encouraged officers to embrace continuous learning and invest in personal and professional development to remain effective in a rapidly changing security environment.
The commandant also called on the participants to provide clear leadership to their teams, maintain discipline, and promote teamwork as a strategy for addressing evolving security threats.
The training comes at a time when the National Police Service is under increased public scrutiny over its handling of demonstrations, crowd control operations, and accountability in policing. Human rights groups and civil society organisations have repeatedly called for greater adherence to constitutional standards and improved relations between police officers and communities.
NPS said the workshop forms part of broader reforms aimed at enhancing professionalism, building public trust, and strengthening service delivery at the grassroots level.
Participants expressed appreciation to the academy’s leadership and facilitators, saying the programme had enhanced their leadership competencies and exposed them to contemporary policing approaches that will improve command effectiveness and operational performance.
Senior academy officials who attended the closing ceremony included Dean of Studies Paul Wambugu, Director of Research, Planning and Development Geoffrey Kathurima, Deputy Dean of Studies Mathew Ndogo, Deputy Director of Research, Planning and Development Ruphas Lule, Dr Fidel Agai, and other senior trainers from the academy.
