The Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS), Mr. Douglas Kanja, has called on senior police commanders to uphold the highest standards of integrity as they execute their duties across the country.
Speaking during the official opening of the NPS Senior Commanders’ Conference at the National Police Leadership Academy in Nairobi on Thursday, Mr. Kanja emphasized the critical role commanders play in ensuring the safety and security of Kenyans. He described the gathering as an opportunity for senior officers to reflect on strategic leadership, modern policing approaches, and the growing need for community-centred policing.
“Today’s conference is critical to realising our vision of a professional, efficient, and responsive Police Service,” said the Inspector General. “As commanders, you are entrusted with significant leadership responsibilities in ensuring the safety and security of our citizens, residents, and visitors.”
Mr. Kanja acknowledged the contributions made by the senior officers in advancing the mandate of the police service and challenged them to align their actions with the National Police Service Strategic Plan 2023–2027. He urged them to drive reforms and improve service delivery through professionalism, responsiveness, and ethical leadership.
He stressed the importance of community engagement, saying, “A community-centred approach to policing is vital in building trust and enhancing cooperation between the police and the public. Effective crime prevention is achieved when officers work collaboratively with the communities they serve.”
Highlighting transparency and accountability as pillars of modern law enforcement, the Inspector General encouraged commanders to implement regular self-assessments, maintain open communication channels, and uphold the ethical conduct of officers under their command.
One of his key priorities, Mr. Kanja said, is the transformation of police stations into “centres of excellence” where the public can expect high standards of professionalism and efficient service delivery. He urged the commanders to ensure that their stations are well-resourced, well-managed, and representative of modern policing ideals.
“As leaders, you play a crucial role in actualising this vision by ensuring stations and all other service areas are well-managed, adequately resourced, and aligned with modern policing practices,” he noted.
Mr. Kanja also highlighted several areas of focus for the conference, including strategic command, leadership ethics, police accountability, community policing, media relations, and inter-agency collaboration. He reiterated the NPS’s ongoing commitment to reforms, gender mainstreaming, police welfare, mental wellness, and fair recruitment.
The IG reaffirmed his dedication to a people-centred police service, urging senior commanders to lead by example, uphold integrity, and serve with humility.
“Policing is a service to the people, not an imposition of authority,” Mr. Kanja stated. “Let us be guided by the words of former President Mwai Kibaki: ‘Leadership is a privilege to better the lives of others.’”
The conference brought together high-ranking officers from across the country, including the Deputy Inspectors General of the Kenya Police Service and Administration Police Service, the Director of Criminal Investigations, regional and formation commanders, and heads of directorates.
