President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for concerted efforts to contain the issue of mental health among police officers.
Uhuru stressed on the need to pay more attention to the matter during the passing out parade of 2,502 General Service Unit (GSU) officers which was conducted at the National Police College, Embakasi B campus in Nairobi.
The president acknowledged that mental health is a real problem in Kenya in general but one which can be addressed.
“Mental health is also a real problem, but it is a problem that can be addressed if you reach out. There is no need to commit some acts that we see. Your gun is to protect lives not to take away lives,” Uhuru said.
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The Head of State noted that mental health was a challenge facing many other Kenyans and not only in the National Police Service and vowed that his administration would do whatever it takes to address it.
He urged police officers to seek help whenever they feel they are faced with challenges that they cannot handle themselves.
“I plead with you if you feel you have challenges, be they domestic problems, problems in the line of duty, look for your fellow officer, look for your superior officer, look for your family member and speak to them. You will find out that by just talking, you will find a solution to your problem,” the president emphasised.
Uhuru further urged senior police officers to talk to the young recruits into the Service and also ensure officers under them undergo counselling to hlp them cope with challenged they might have in their lives.
He further urged police officers to find alternative ways of handling their issues instead of taking away lives, comign in the wake of rampant murder-suicide incidences across the country involving police officers.
The most recent incident was reported on Tuesday morning, when a cop went on the rampage then shot and killed his wife and six other people before turning the gun on himself in Kabete, Kiambu County.
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