National Assembly passes bill to promote police officers’ mental health
By Faith Lagat, September 26, 2025The National Assembly has passed the National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 23 of 2024), aimed at promoting the mental health and wellbeing of police officers in Kenya.
Sponsored by Peter Masara, MP Suna West, the legislation provides for the establishment of psychosocial support centers to help officers cope with the unique pressures of policing.
The passage of the bill was confirmed on September 26, 2025, via the National Assembly’s official X account.
“The primary objective of the Bill is to make provision for the mental wellness and wellbeing of police officers including but not limited to the establishment of psychosocial support centres for police officers,” Masara stated.
He explained that officers often alternate between law enforcement and public service roles, frequently face danger, and in some cases, may inflict harm on others as part of their duties, making police work particularly stressful.
“The Bill recognises that in the execution of their tasks, police officers work in potentially confusing roles alternating between law enforcement and public service and constantly face danger or mortality to ensure the safety of others. In some cases, due to the unique challenges of policing, they inflict harm on human beings, as police work is more stressful than other jobs.”
Addressing a critical gap
The bill responds to gaps identified in the 2020 Mental Health Taskforce Report, which Masara said overlooked the mental health of police officers. “Numerous studies, including the recent Mental Health Taskforce Report of 2020 have examined mental health in general, but have overlooked police officers,” he said.
The legislation gives the National Police Service Commission mandates to promote officers’ mental health and provide targeted support.
Recent incidents underscore the urgency. Earlier this year, a 49-year-old constable died by suicide at Sossiot Police Station in Kericho County, while Constable George Kimiti Gichuki and Corporal Collins Onyando also took their lives in separate incidents. Surveys indicate that about 60 officers die by suicide annually, with 90 percent facing alcoholism-related challenges and 50 percent requiring psychosocial support.
Welfare reforms
Inspector General Douglas Kanja has highlighted the high-stress nature of police work, noting that officers often handle traumatic crime and accident scenes that leave long-term psychological effects.
The bill complements ongoing welfare reforms aimed at reducing these pressures. Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has also called for improved police welfare, citing low pay and the risk of corruption as major concerns.
The legislation marks a significant step in building support systems for the National Police Service, providing officers with resources to manage stress and psychological challenges while reinforcing broader reforms in Kenya’s security sector.