Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat inspects a parade at Kiganjo police college on August 21, 2026/SCREENGRABThe countdown to the Kenya Police Service pass-out parade has entered its final days, with recruits completing their final rehearsals ahead of the August 28 ceremony to be presided over by President William Ruto.
The recruits yesterday held a parade rehearsal at their National Police Service Main Campus in Kiganjo, Nyeri County, as they prepared for the culmination of nine months of intensive training.
Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat, who witnessed the rehearsal, said the exercise was more than a ceremonial display, describing it as a demonstration of the preparedness of the new officers.
“This parade rehearsal goes beyond display. It demonstrates a renewed and vibrant workforce for the service that offers a reprieve from policing workload and hope for a secure nation,” Lagat said.
The recruits showcased their discipline and coordination during the rehearsal, signalling their readiness to transition from training into active policing duties.
The nine-month training programme has equipped the recruits with skills and knowledge necessary for their new responsibilities as members of the Kenya Police Service.
Their graduation will mark the end of the rigorous training period and the beginning of their careers in the National Police Service.
The recruits are expected to be deployed to different police stations, formations and units across the country after the pass-out ceremony.
Their entry into the service is expected to strengthen the police workforce and ease pressure on officers who have been handling policing duties across the country.
Lagat said the fresh officers would provide renewed capacity to the service, which continues to respond to a wide range of security and public safety responsibilities.
He also urged them to maintain discipline and observe the law as they serve the citizenry.
"I remind you to remain disciplined, professional, respectful, and above all, obedient to the Constitution and the laws of Kenya," he said.
The rehearsal at Kiganjo was part of preparations for the main ceremony, with the police leadership conducting several exercises to ensure that the recruits are fully prepared for the pass-out parade.
The next and final rehearsal will be conducted by Inspector General of the National Police Service Douglas Kanja on August 25, three days before the graduation ceremony.
The August 28 event will bring together senior government officials, police commanders, families and other invited guests to witness the recruits formally join the Kenya Police Service.
The ceremony will also provide an opportunity for the new officers to demonstrate the discipline and professionalism acquired during their training.
For the recruits, the event will mark a major transition from a demanding nine-month training programme to active service.
The National Police Service has continued to emphasise the need for officers to uphold discipline, professionalism and commitment to their constitutional mandate as they serve Kenyans.
The recruits will join an established workforce tasked with protecting life and property, preventing and detecting crime, maintaining law and order and safeguarding public safety.
As they prepare for the final rehearsal and eventual pass-out, Lagat said their performance demonstrated that they were ready for the next chapter of their careers.
The August 28 ceremony will therefore mark not only the completion of their training, but also the beginning of their responsibility to serve and protect Kenyans in different parts of the country.
