Investing in our Chiefs: Building stronger communities through capacity development

The graduation of 5,892 chiefs and assistant chiefs from the National Police College, Embakasi ‘A’ Campus marks a significant step forward in strengthening Kenya’s system of grassroots governance.

This intensive induction, paralegal, and security management programme goes beyond routine training. It reflects a deliberate choice by the government to reinforce the frontline of public administration, where state authority meets everyday life.

Chiefs and assistant chiefs, as National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), occupy a role unlike any other in our governance structure. They are not distant officials; they are the most immediate representatives of government authority in communities across the country.

When a farmer in Turkana requires mediation over a dispute, when a mother in Kwale seeks documentation for her child, or when residents in Marsabit confront a security threat, it is the chief who responds first. For many Kenyans, the chief’s office is government in its most practical and human form. This is precisely why strengthening their capacity is both necessary and urgent.

The paramilitary training programme, delivered in three cohorts throughout 2025, addressed a long-standing gap within the administrative system. Despite rising security and legal complexities, some chiefs had gone more than 25 years without structured refresher training.

The three-week intensive course responded to this reality by equipping officers with updated skills in paralegal practice, security coordination, and disciplined leadership - capabilities that directly improve service delivery and decision-making at the local level.

This initiative is firmly anchored in the government’s Jukwaa la Usalama framework, which prioritises community-based approaches to safety and stability. Through the training, chiefs have strengthened their understanding of legal processes, sharpened their conflict-resolution skills, and enhanced their operational preparedness.

They are now better positioned to detect emerging threats, coordinate effectively with the National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU) and other security agencies, and maintain order within their jurisdictions.

In high-risk areas, particularly parts of North Eastern Kenya and the  Rift  Valley,  additional paramilitary training and appropriate arming acknowledge the realities officers face while safeguarding both communities and themselves.

I particularly want to celebrate Urban chiefs, especially those serving in Nairobi’s Eastlands, Mombasa’s estates, and Kisumu’s neighbourhoods, who operate in especially demanding environments with remarkable dedication.

They manage dense populations, coordinate multi-agency responses, and navigate complex social dynamics daily. They are also critical actors in responding to gender- based violence, offering survivors accessible reporting channels and linking them to protection and support services.

Chiefs also function as the primary drivers of government programmes at the community level. From enrolling citizens in social protection schemes to mobilising participation in health campaigns, supporting agricultural extension services, and facilitating civic education, they ensure that national policies translate into real outcomes on the ground.

Without strong administrative units, many government interventions would struggle to move beyond policy documents into lived reality.

Kenya’s administrative framework relies heavily on the presence and effectiveness of these officers. Across all 47 counties, approximately 13,000 chiefs and assistant chiefs serve as the government’s most consistent point of contact with citizens, particularly in areas where other institutions have limited reach.

Their authority is rooted not only in law but also in cultural legitimacy, placing them at a unique intersection of tradition and modern governance.

When chiefs are well trained and properly supported, communities benefit directly. Administrative units are able to respond more quickly to emergencies such as floods, disease outbreaks, or intercommunal tensions.

Access to essential services - from national registration to land dispute resolution - is made easier and more efficient. Development programmes under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) are more likely to reach their intended beneficiaries rather than stalling within administrative bottlenecks.

Strong administrative presence also contributes to social cohesion. In a diverse society like Kenya, chiefs often serve as mediators and stabilisers, bridging divides between ethnic groups, age sets, and competing interests. They enforce the rule of law while remaining sensitive to local contexts, maintaining order without distancing themselves from the communities they serve.