Kirinyaga: The Police Department in Kirinyaga has initiated the construction of a multipurpose sanctuary designed to serve as a worship space and accommodate a variety of police activities, including church services aimed at enhancing mental wellness among officers.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project is underway inside the county police headquarters in Kerugoya, situated next to a site designated for police affordable housing units. During the groundbreaking ceremony, Kirinyaga County Police Commander Nelson Taliti shared that after discussions with the local chaplain, they decided to raise funds for building their own place of worship with community support. The initial fundraising effort successfully collected over Sh800,000 for the project.
Commander Taliti emphasized the importance of community contributions, stating, “The officers and the community can contribute even a little. If we build a church here, we’ll have our own place to meet, and even when we have our gatherings, we can hold them there.” He also highlighted that the church will assist in addressing mental health issues within the police service and provide a venue for external professionals to engage with officers and the local community.
The initiative aims to strengthen community policing by fostering rapport and safety through shared worship experiences. The project will commence immediately, in collaboration with the state department of correctional services, which will provide professional manpower. Taliti noted, “We agreed to use prison labour instead of hiring casual workers.”
Zachary Muchai, bishop emeritus of the PEFA church, who conducted the groundbreaking, emphasized the church’s role in extending beyond counseling to support officers’ mental health. He remarked, “Sometimes people go for counseling and it reaches a point where we feel like we have done all we can. But we believe there is another level of healing that comes through prayer.”
Bishop Muchai underscored the initiative’s importance, noting that it will bring hope, strength, and transformation not only to the body and mind but also to the soul in the service.
