NAIROBI— In a quiet classroom tucked inside Nairobi’s College of Insurance, dozens of police officers took notes not on tactics or law, but on pensions, estate planning, and life after the badge.
The two-day seminar, held from May 20 to 21, was part of a joint initiative by the National Police DT SACCO and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), aimed at helping officers aged 50 to 60 prepare for retirement a phase many dread but few plan for.
The programme brought together 150 officers from across the Nairobi region. The goal: give them the tools to leave active service not just with a pension, but with a plan.
‘Beyond the Uniform’
Solomon Atsiaya, CEO of the National Police DT SACCO, said the training reflected a broader vision to protect the welfare of police officers well after they hang up their uniforms.
“Our mission extends beyond active service,” Atsiaya told reporters at the event. “We’re here to make sure every officer understands how to manage their finances and remain secure in retirement.”
The course covered personal finance, health and psychological well-being, estate management, and even how to start a business. Experts from the Retirement Benefits Authority and the National Treasury’s Pension Department led the sessions.
Atsiaya said too many officers reach retirement unprepared both emotionally and financially. “Retirement is a major life change,” he added. “We want to ensure our members are not left in the dark.”
Dignity After Duty
Police work in Kenya is often grueling. Officers serve long hours under pressure, frequently with limited resources. When retirement comes, many find themselves without the support systems or skills needed for the next chapter.
Peter Leley, CEO of the National Police Service Commission, said the partnership with SACCO is part of a deeper commitment to improving officers’ long-term welfare.
“We want our officers to retire with clarity, confidence, and purpose,” Leley said. “It’s not enough to thank them for their service we must equip them for what comes next.”
Kenya’s police force is among the country’s largest public employers. While pensions are available, many officers lack guidance on how to manage them or how to plan for expenses that stretch far beyond a monthly stipend.
Leley said the Commission would continue to push for expanded retirement training across all police services.
A Broader Conversation
The programme is part of a growing conversation in Kenya about the treatment of civil servants after retirement. Police officers, in particular, face unique challenges: high stress levels, early burnout, and often little public sympathy.
Yet initiatives like this hint at a changing mindset within state institutions one that treats retirement not as an afterthought, but as a critical stage of service.
For the officers who attended, the message was clear: the badge may come off, but the need for structure, purpose, and financial security does not.
One participant, who asked not to be named, said the training had been eye-opening.
“We’ve spent our careers enforcing the law,” he said. “Now we’re being taught how to manage life and that’s just as important.”
