22 Kenyan footballers are among recruits set to graduate from the National Police College Main Campus in Kiganjo on August 28, after completing a nine-month police training programme.
The players come from clubs competing at different levels of Kenyan football, including Kenya Police FC, Gor Mahia Youth, Sofapaka and Division One sides. They will graduate alongside 10,000 other recruits joining the National Police Service.
22 Kenyan Footballers to Graduate as Police Officers
The footballers include Abner Momanyi, who plays for Gucha FC; Tyson Omondi of Migori Youth; Boniface Barasa of Bungoma Super Stars; and Bruce Outah of Bumbani FC.
Other players are Dickens Ochieng of Gor Mahia Youth, Sammy Kiplagat, who has featured for Sofapaka and Muhoroni FC, and Xavier Kere of RVIST FC.
| Footballer | Club |
| Austin Jivedi | Kibera Soccer |
| Hamisi Ouma | Langas FC (Division One) |
| Collins Kiprotich | Green Snipers (Division One) |
| Byron Ochieng | Katoloni FC (Division One) |
| Brian Okoth | Kenya Police FC |
| Emmanuel Erupe | Kenya Police FC |
| Albert Oduor | Kenya Police FC |
| Lawrence Odhiambo | Former Soy United |
| Collins Rotich | Manor House |
| Lewis Alumasa | Riambuka Sportiff |
| Rolex Ojukii | Former Azam FC, Serena FC |
| Jeff Kiprotich | Former Utawala Sportiff |
| Alphin Lirhu | Samitsi (Division One) |
| Hillary Wafula | Unity of Homes |
| Samson Etabo | Plantec FC (Division Two) |
Footballers Transitioning Into Police Service
The move by footballers into policing is not new in Kenya. Kenya Police FC has provided a prominent example of the relationship between competitive football and the security service.
In January 2023, several Kenya Police FC players graduated as General Service Unit (GSU) officers. They included David “Messi” Owino, Bolton Omwenga, Harun Shakava, Yusuf Mainge, Job Ochieng, Reuben Juma, Soita Silicho, Daniel Musamali and Kevin Ouma.
These players have continued with their football careers and NPS roles. Kenya Police Bullets player Mbaru, for example, has been the team’s goalkeeper, while Okwaro and Alukwe play in the attack.
After their graduation, the players remained involved in football. Job Ochieng is one of Kenya Police FC’s goalkeepers, while other players who went through the process have featured in Kenyan football.
In women’s football, Purity Nekesa Muraya, a former Harambee Starlets player, is a police corporal. She has represented Kenya internationally and completed several professional police courses.
Nora Ann is also enlisted in the police service. Other Kenya Police Bullets players who enrolled earlier include Leah Andiema, Lucy Kwekwe, Brenda Anne, and Mary Nthambi.
Nine-Month Training at Kiganjo
The National Police College Main Campus in Kiganjo has been preparing the recruits for their new responsibilities through a nine-month training programme.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja presided over a full-dress rehearsal at the college on August 25 ahead of Friday’s passing-out ceremony.
He commended the recruits for their discipline, endurance and dedication during the training period and urged them to approach policing as a professional responsibility.
Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat has also urged the recruits to uphold integrity, accountability and professionalism as they begin their careers. He cautioned them on the responsible use of social media, warning against sharing sensitive information related to police operations, training, and administration.
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