Police to build multipurpose worship sanctuary at Kerugoya headquarters
By Bancy Lole, November 8, 2025Police in Kirinyaga have launched the construction of a multipurpose worship sanctuary within the County Police Headquarters in Kerugoya, a facility expected to serve both spiritual and community functions.
The sanctuary, which will sit next to the proposed police affordable housing units, is designed as a flexible space that will host worship services, police gatherings, counselling sessions, and community engagements.
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Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony held on Friday, November 7, 2025, Kirinyaga County Police Commander Nelson Taliti said officers, together with their reverend, had agreed to mobilise resources to build their own place of worship. A recent fundraiser raised more than Ksh800,000 toward the project.
“The officers and the community can contribute even a little,” Taliti said. “Once we have a church here, we’ll have our own place to meet, and we can also use it for our gatherings and other activities.”
Taliti emphasised that the facility will also support efforts to address rising mental-health cases among officers, offering a safe space where professionals can meet and counsel both police officers and community members, thereby enhancing community policing.
“We have challenges with mental health among our officers,” he noted. “When we invite professionals to talk to them, they’ll use that church space. It will also strengthen community policing because worshipping together builds unity and safety.”
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Construction will begin immediately in collaboration with the State Department of Correctional Services, which will provide skilled prison labour to reduce costs.
“We agreed to use prison labour instead of hiring casual workers,” Taliti added. “Today marks the beginning as we lay the foundation.”
Bishop Emeritus Zachary Muchai of PEFA Church, who led the groundbreaking prayers, said the sanctuary will offer both emotional and spiritual healing to officers.
“Counselling helps, but sometimes it reaches a point where prayer brings the deeper healing needed,” he said. “This space will bring hope, strength, and transformation not only to the body and mind but also to the soul.”