Security officers in the Eastern region have been urged to make their mental health a priority and to seek help early when the pressures of the job become heavy, during an inter-agency thanksgiving and prayer service held in Machakos.

The annual service took place on Saturday, October 17, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cathedral in Machakos town, bringing together officers and their families from the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service and National Youth Service, Capital FM reported.

“Seek support whenever you encounter difficulties”

Leading the service was Bishop George Muthaka of the Catholic Diocese of Garissa, who oversees the Uniformed Disciplined Services Chaplaincy. According to a National Police Service statement cited by Capital FM, he encouraged officers to prioritise self-care and to seek “psychological, professional and spiritual support whenever they encounter difficulties.”

In his sermon, the bishop commended officers for their service, describing their work as a calling to protect and serve humanity. He reminded them that their uniforms represent both authority and responsibility, and urged them to give thanks for their families, their work and their lives while acknowledging their human limitations.

The service was held under the theme “Be strong and steadfast, for the Lord your God is with you,” drawn from Joshua 1:9.

Call for integrity and respect for dignity

Eastern Regional Commissioner Jacob Ouma, who was the chief guest, echoed the call for professionalism. He urged officers to stay steadfast, uphold ethical standards and respect human dignity in their dealings with the public, and commended them for their sacrifices and commitment, Capital FM reported.

Also present were Eastern Regional Police Commander Stephen Chebet, Eastern Regional Administration Police Commander Michael Owino and Senior Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests Clement Ng'oriareng, among other senior officers.

A long-running concern

The appeal reflects long-standing concern about the psychological toll of security work in Kenya. Officers routinely face long shifts, dangerous deployments in banditry-hit and border areas, exposure to violent crime scenes, separation from families and financial strain. Cases of suicide and of officers turning their guns on colleagues or family members have repeatedly made headlines, prompting calls for stronger counselling services.

The National Police Service has expanded its chaplaincy and counselling directorate in recent years, and in November 2024 activated a dedicated counselling facility for officers in high-risk deployments. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has also said officer welfare and mental health are central to security operations.

Mental health advocates, however, say stigma still stops many officers from seeking help. They have called for confidential screening, routine debriefing after traumatic incidents and peer-support networks within stations.

The Machakos service is not the first time leaders in the region have raised the issue. At a similar gathering of Lower Eastern uniformed officers in 2023, Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi urged officers to form support groups to help one another cope with job stress, depression and anxiety, according to the Kenya News Agency.

Inter-agency thanksgiving services are held annually in several regions, offering officers from different services and their families an opportunity to pray together, reflect on the year and honour colleagues who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Photo: Clergy and senior security officers at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, Machakos, on October 17, 2026 (Capital FM / National Police Service).