The government has rolled out a large-scale leadership training programme targeting over 8,000 chiefs and assistant chiefs to strengthen grassroots administration and improve service delivery.

Speaking at the National Police College Embakasi ‘A’ Campus on Friday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen launched the training of the first cohort of 1,000 officers from all 47 counties, part of the 8,102 participants set to benefit.

The three-week course will equip officers with paralegal and security management skills to address emerging challenges and enhance coordination of government services.

Murkomen said the training is in line with President William Ruto’s plan to modernise and reform the security sector to meet current needs. He noted that some officers are attending such training for the first time in decades.

“It’s unbelievable that the last time chiefs and assistant chiefs attended a course of this kind was in 2018. We are therefore not only launching a training course; we are making a new chapter in how we govern and secure our country from the grassroots up,” he said.

The CS added that the programme follows feedback from county security forums under the ‘Jukwaa la Usalama’ initiative. He expressed concern that some chiefs and assistant chiefs have not undergone such training since 1983.

“This induction, paralegal and security management training is a strategic upgrade of our grassroots administration. The course will empower you with legal knowledge, strategic thinking and modern security tools,” said Murkomen.

The officers who successfully complete the training will be promoted, a move aimed at clearing delays in career progression.

“We have also had fruitful engagements with the PSC in ensuring career progression for our officers. This year alone, 87 chiefs and 58 assistant chiefs have been promoted to higher job groups. At the end of this training, we will also be able to process your promotions as well,” he said.

Murkomen said the training is only the start of wider reforms within the National Government Administration. “More capacity building and welfare enhancement programmes are lined up across our NGAOs and security agencies,” he said.

To improve mobility, the ministry is working with the National Treasury to expand the government vehicle leasing programme.

During the event, the CS also launched Standard Operating Procedures to guide engagement between NGOs and the newly formed National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU). He further flagged off thousands of uniforms for chiefs and assistant chiefs to be delivered directly to counties.

The decentralised distribution follows concerns raised during Jukwaa town hall meetings over the high costs of travelling to Nairobi for uniforms and difficulties in fitting.

“We are optimistic that this will not only boost the morale of the officers, but also contribute to an improved image of government mashinani,” Murkomen said.