By OSDP
The Spouse of the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, has introduced the program of marital counselling and uniformed weddings for police families.
As a pastor, the foundation of her office is chaplaincy and family values, working with clergy from the Christian, Hindu and Muslim religions, with the overarching goal of establishing strong and stable families in the country.
“I am delighted to be with you during this inaugural marital and family values counseling session with our police officers here in Kenya.
“It is said that a journey of one thousand steps starts with one step. Here we are,” she said.
Identifying with the lives of police officers, she said: “Before me are great men and women who have served this country very faithfully and sacrificed so that many may be protected. The life you live is a great sacrifice.”
Pastor Dorcas disclosed details of her meeting with the Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome in January this year, which was geared towards holding mass uniformed weddings for police officers.
“I urge all of you to be ambassadors of this program and encourage other officers across ranks to solemnize their weddings. The Bible in Amos Chapter 3 asks, ‘Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?’
“We must also bring to an end the anguish spouses and children of a deceased police officer go through in trying to access his benefits and inheritance,” she said.
Pastor Dorcas shared in great detail her formative years married to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, when he worked as an administrator and was posted to different parts of the country.
“We must partner and collaborate with our spouses, and also invest. The best company is the company of the husband and wife. For example, we (my husband and I) used to have a monthly merry-go-round for the betterment of our lives. He would contribute Kshs 10,000, and myself Kshs 10,000,” she said.
Before going into business, Pastor Dorcas had risen to a senior management position at a local bank.
“The vision includes taking the police couples through marital counseling, holding a mass wedding, the exchange of rings, beautiful décor, the cutting of the cake, and lots of celebrations.
“I hope the entire Presidency will attend our first mass uniformed wedding in Kenya,” said Pastor Dorcas.
The meeting at the Kenya School of Government on Saturday was attended by police chaplains, police service men, police spouses, and a representative from the registrar of marriages.
The police shared in detail the challenges they face, and their life in service.