From a childhood dream in the hills of Murang’a to national recognition in the country’s capital, Inspector Kennedy Njuguna Muchoki has built a career defined by service, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of safer roads for all Kenyans.
Raised in Murang’a County, Njuguna stood out early as a bright student with an A-grade performance. While many expected him to follow a conventional academic path, he chose policing, driven by a calling to serve. His pursuit of a degree in Criminology at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) laid the academic foundation for a distinguished career in law enforcement.
He joined the Kenya Police Service in 2017 and graduated from the Kenya Police Training College in Kiganjo a year later. His first posting took him to the Anti-Crime Branch in Kakamega before he moved to Bungoma. A promotion to Inspector followed, along with a posting to Malindi Police Station as the Officer Commanding Anti-Crime Branch.
In Malindi, Inspector Njuguna’s leadership was visibly tested. During the high-profile Operation Okoa Maisha in Shakahola, he led the Kenya Police Service camp in a mission that lasted over five months. Under his command, officers rescued 95 individuals from the forest, a milestone that affirmed his operational acumen and capacity to lead in moments of national crisis.
By 2023, he was promoted to Deputy Base Commander in Malindi, where he shifted his focus to traffic and road safety. Njuguna quickly earned a reputation for innovative traffic management, blending enforcement with community engagement. He worked hand-in-hand with motorists, boda-boda and tuk-tuk operators, institutions, and transport stakeholders, building trust while instilling safer practices on the roads.
In 2025, Njuguna assumed his current role as Base Commander in Garissa Township. Here, he faced chaotic tuk-tuk operations that clogged streets, fuelled congestion, and contributed to rising accident rates. Working with the Garissa County Government, Njuguna spearheaded the creation of designated stages for tuk-tuks and required operators to register. What was once a fragmented, disorderly sector began to take shape. Riders formed SACCOs with structured leadership, which improved accountability and discipline. The results were tangible: chronic traffic jams in Garissa town centre were eliminated, both injury and non-injury accidents declined and Riders, now organized and empowered, began self-regulating and embracing safer road practices.
Beyond these reforms, Njuguna has championed daily road safety sensitization meetings with motorists and boda-boda riders. His team uses public forums and digital platforms to amplify the message of safety, making awareness part of everyday life. This blend of enforcement, education, and empowerment has helped transform Garissa’s traffic culture, setting a new benchmark for community-driven policing.
In recognition of his efforts, Inspector Njuguna was named Traffic Base Commander of the Year at the inaugural AA Road Safety Excellence Awards. The prestigious ceremony was held on July 4, 2025, at the Pullman Hotel in Upper Hill, Nairobi. Other recognized base commanders included Erastus Maraka (Ruaraka), Derrick M. Nyaga (formerly at Naivasha Traffic Base), Solomon Wambui (Makuyu), and Nyadzua Lwembe (Bungoma Traffic Base).
Inspector Njuguna’s story is not just one of personal achievement but a model for how Kenya can build safer, more efficient roads one initiative, one partnership, and one community at a time.