Rev. Fr. Jeremiah Mwenda Muriuki is not your normal man of God. As a clergy, Rev. Fr. Jeremiah has bridged two worlds often perceived as irreconcilable.
He is not just a Catholic priest, but a Superintendent of Police whose life folds as a single, seamless mission: to forge well-rounded officers, fortify fragile families, and ignite a spirit of selfless devotion across our beloved nation.
Fr. Mwenda’s story began among the lush, rolling hills of Meru. As the firstborn of four children, he learned early the sobering weight of responsibility—and the quiet, abiding joy of caring for others. Even as a boy, he felt a gentle yet insistent tug at his heart—a whisper that would not be silenced—a calling to the priesthood.
In 1998, he took his first deliberate step into this sacred vocation by entering the Minor Seminary. What followed was a profound, thirteen-year odyssey of spiritual and intellectual formation. A slow, deliberate sculpting of soul and mind that culminated in his ordination as a deacon in April 2013, and as a priest in November of that same year.
In embracing this path, he freely consecrated his entire being to God and His people, accepting celibacy not as a loss, but as a lavish, liberating gift.
Academic excellence
Determined to ground his ministry in both wisdom and truth, Fr Mwenda immersed himself in rigorous academic formation.
He earned a Diploma in Philosophical Studies and a Certificate in Spirituality from St Joseph’s Seminary; a Diploma in Theological Studies from Christ the King Seminary, Nyeri; a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome; and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).
After his ordination, he served in numerous parishes—among them Michaka, Munithu, Nkabune, Nkubu, Makupa, Buruburu, Mlolongo, and the Cathedral Parishes of both Meru and Embu.
Walking alongside families in their brightest celebrations and their darkest hours was a profound, humbling privilege. He also had the joy of shaping young minds as Chaplain at Chuka University and Kenyatta University.
People often wonder how a celibate priest navigates family life. For Fr. Mwenda, the answer is simple: the community he serves is his family. Every officer, every parishioner, every citizen becomes a brother, a sister, or a child to him. Though he treasures the fraternal fellowship of his brother priests and remains a steadfast pillar for his biological kin whenever duties allow, his heart has expanded—wide enough to embrace all of God’s scattered children.
A daring transformation
In 2017, Fr. Mwenda’s ministry took a daring, transformative turn. He recognised that the brave men and women who safeguard our nation often carry invisible wounds—burdens that demand a unique, nuanced pastoral care.
Driven by a burning, irrepressible desire to serve police officers and their families, he answered a second, startling call and enlisted in the National Police Service (NPS).
Trading his flowing vestments for the crisp, no-nonsense uniform of a police officer, Fr. Mwenda underwent the gruelling Basic Police Course at the National Police College, Embakasi ‘A’ Campus. It was an extraordinary crucible—drilling under the scorching sun, mastering skills at arms, and absorbing the full spectrum of law-enforcement competencies—all while carrying the tender, unquenchable heart of a shepherd.
His National Police Service journey
His journey within the Service has been marked by relentless hard work and unmistakable divine favour. Starting at the foundational rank of Police Constable, he rose steadily through the ranks to become a Superintendent of Police (SP) and the Principal Chaplain.
His dual vocation has carried him to every corner of Kenya—from the rugged terrain of Tharaka and the vast Eastern Region to the sun-drenched Coast, and throughout Nairobi, including the revered State House Chaplaincy and the Embakasi campuses.
He pursued a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Kenyatta University and a Certificate in Counselling from the Amani Counselling Centre. Coupled with advanced training in Executive Management from Strathmore University, and studies in Servant Leadership and Child Protection from Tangaza University, these qualifications have equipped him to offer holistic, compassionate support. Fr. Mwenda does not merely preach to officers—he sits with them in the raw, unvarnished reality of their pain, helping them navigate the unique trauma and relentless stress of the uniform.
Fr. Mwenda has been instrumental in establishing the Catholic Chaplaincy within the National Police Service and in actively recruiting more vibrant, dedicated priests into the disciplined services.
He urges his fellow officers not to carry their burdens in isolation, but to draw close to God, seek spiritual renewal, and wear their badge as a badge of honour. He calls on them to serve every citizen with unyielding, unassailable integrity—for there is no higher calling than this. And always, he reminds them: Service to humanity is service to God.
The National Police Service (NPS) describes him as a trailblazer and an enduring epitome of excellent service, profound sacrifice, and radiant selflessness—a man who ensures that officers remain emotionally resilient and spiritually anchored, even in the fiercest storms.
