Police Chief Urges Female Officers To Prioritise Mental Health, Innovation

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Female officers must prioritise mental wellness, continuous learning and innovative service delivery as policing adapts to social and professional change, Rift Valley Regional Administration Police Commander John Amadadi has said.

Addressing women officers from the South Rift region during a Valentine’s Day celebration at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru City, he said institutional support systems must respond directly to the lived realities of women in uniform.

The Commissioner of Police told the gathering that effective leadership begins with listening, noting that officers’ experiences should inform policy, welfare programmes and professional development initiatives.

“By listening to you, we place ourselves in a better position to develop meaningful remedy programs, improve mental health care, and encourage progressive and innovative areas of growth,” he said.

The event, now in its second year, brought together female officers for mentorship, networking and reflection on their role within the Administration Police Service and the wider community.

The regional commander said the service must remain attentive to the aspirations, challenges and ambitions of young women officers, especially as security work grows more complex and demanding.

“As an officer, it is vital that I understand the youth, especially the aspirations, challenges and dreams of our young women, and what affects them in today’s world,” he said.

He praised the progress made by women officers in the region, saying their performance and commitment had strengthened public trust and internal cohesion within the service.

According to the commander, recent improvements within the region have been driven by a deliberate strategy anchored on listening carefully to officers, observing trends, monitoring progress consistently and taking timely corrective action.

He described the framework as a discovery-driven model that challenges officers to generate original ideas, apply professional insight in daily operations, and strengthen service delivery within their respective units.

“You have been able to implement a truly unique and enriching curriculum that aligns directly not only with our officers but also with the needs of society,” he said while congratulating the officer for remaining true to their calling.

He further urged the officers to remain adaptable and to pursue excellence beyond local standards, noting that modern policing requires creativity, resilience and ethical leadership.

He said Valentine’s Day should serve as a reminder that love extends beyond personal relationships to include dedication to service, community and mutual support among colleagues.

“Let this occasion remind us to nurture ourselves, support each other, and continue building strong, confident women who will transform society,” he said while encouraging the officers to uphold integrity and embrace career growth.

Event organiser Martha Wanjiku Macharia, director of Mima Entertainment and founder of the Askari Jibambe initiative, said the programme focuses on mental wellness and team building for police officers.

“Today we are giving them that space and reminding them they are valued,” she said adding that many officers struggle silently with stress and family pressures but lack safe platforms to speak openly.

Wanjiku announced a planned mental wellness walk from Nakuru to Naivasha later this month to raise awareness and rally support for the psychological wellbeing of National Police Service officers.

She urged members of the public and partners to join the initiative, saying officers are often judged harshly yet face demanding work conditions that require empathy and structured support.

The National Community Policing Ambassador, Dr Stanley Kamau said police officers take significant risks in the line of duty and deserve recognition and improved working conditions, including housing, equipment and infrastructure upgrades.