Inspector General Douglas Kanja urged officers to remain impartial ahead of the 2027 election.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja tells officers to avoid political involvement and strengthen road safety and crime prevention during the festive season.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has urged police neutrality ahead of the 2027 General Election. He directed officers to avoid political involvement and carry out their duties impartially and professionally.
Kanja spoke during the annual National Joint Thanksgiving Service for uniformed and disciplined services. The gathering took place on Saturday at Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi.
He said the National Police Service must protect every Kenyan’s rights without favour or prejudice. As the country approaches another election, he urged officers to create conditions for citizens to exercise their rights peacefully.
Police neutrality and festive security
Alongside his call for impartial service, Kanja urged officers to prepare for emerging security concerns. He said the coming festive season would increase road traffic, business activity, public celebrations and travel nationwide.
He therefore called for stronger action against speeding, drunk driving and the use of overloaded vehicles and motorcycles. Kanja also appealed to motorists and other road users to exercise caution during holiday travel.
Meanwhile, he urged officers to strengthen crime prevention and work closely with communities to keep the festive season peaceful. He emphasised preventing crime as part of maintaining public safety.
Kanja also singled out sexual and gender-based violence as a concern requiring attention from officers. With children home for the school holidays, he urged parents and other responsible adults to look after them.
Support for officers and tree-growing campaign
Kanja acknowledged that festive security duties would require some officers to work longer hours away from their families. He thanked families for supporting officers through the demands of police work.
He also recognised religious leaders and service commanders for their contribution to the welfare of uniformed personnel. The service honoured officers who died in the line of duty, while Kanja called for remembrance of their sacrifices.
Participants included representatives from the police, forest, wildlife and prisons services, alongside the National Youth Service. A service representative said the gathering concluded 18 thanksgiving services held across the country during the year.
Meanwhile, Kenya Forest Service Deputy Commandant Wilson Leboo urged institutions and the public to support the national tree-growing campaign. Representing the Chief Conservator of Forests, he encouraged Kenyans to use the ongoing rains to plant trees.
The Kenya Forest Service supports the national goal of growing 15 billion trees by 2032. Leboo also urged participants to accompany prayer with practical environmental conservation efforts.
