The Magado Field Training Camp in Igembe North, Meru County, is emerging as a central facility for the training of National Police Service Reservists (NPRs), with the National Police Service seeking to establish common standards for personnel drawn from different parts of the country.
Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat said the graduation of 705 reservists from 10 counties marked an important milestone, as it was the first time NPRs from different counties had trained together under a standardized program at a single police training camp.
Lagat said the arrangement was necessary because security challenges often cut across county boundaries, requiring a coordinated response based on common training standards.
“This is important because security challenges cut across counties and the response must, therefore, be guided by common standards,” he said during the reservists’ passing-out parade on Wednesday.
The Magado facility is the newest tactical training camp of the National Police Service and was established following concerns raised by police officers through the Jukwaa la Usalama initiative.
Why Magado Facility was Established
Lagat said officers had identified the lack of a specialized facility for tactical training as a challenge, which led to the establishment of the camp.
“Police officers told you that they lacked a specialized facility where they could receive tactical training. You listened, and today, we are standing on the ground that came from that conversation,” Lagat told Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
The facility opened its doors in June to its first cohort of 5,000 recruits, Lagat said.
He also acknowledged the role of the County Government of Meru, which donated 1,000 acres of land for the facility.
Lagat said the training of reservists at Magado goes beyond physical conditioning, combat readiness and survival skills.
Also Read: Lagat Welcomes New Generation of GSU Officers at Golden Jubilee Parade
He said the program is intended to produce cohesive, disciplined and capable reservists who can support security agencies when called upon.
NPRs bring with them knowledge of the communities in which they operate, including local languages, security dynamics and terrain, Lagat said. He added that this local knowledge must be matched with proper training and discipline.
Parliament to support upgrading of the Magado facility
The Deputy Inspector General also said he hosted the Parliamentary Committee on Administration and Internal Security at Magado the previous month.
He said the National Police Service remained hopeful that Parliament would support the upgrading of the facility into a Center of Excellence for tactical training in the country.
The 705 graduates, he said, were among the first to demonstrate the value of the investment in the facility.
Also Read: Duale Halts Construction of Nanyuki Ebola Facility
Lagat also recognized the families who supported the reservists during their training and urged the graduates to uphold discipline and integrity as they undertake their duties.
“Go and serve with discipline and integrity,” he told the graduands.
The passing-out ceremony was attended by Murkomen, Inspector General of the National Police Service; Douglas Kanja, National Police College Main Campus Commandant; Nyale Munga; senior police officers; and county representatives.
With the first centralized reservist training program now completed, Magado is positioned to play a larger role in the National Police Service’s tactical training programs, subject to the proposed upgrading of the facility into a Center of Excellence.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
