Government is almost halfway through the implementation of the reforms recommended by the Maraga Taskforce for the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), and National Youth Service (NYS).
Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo said the National Police Service is leading the process, having fully implemented 47.2 percent of the reforms.
“The KPS and NYS have each completed 42.9 percent of the proposed changes, with the remainder in progress. The NPS has already rolled out a comprehensive medical insurance scheme, which includes a mental health care plan for all officers and their dependents.”
“In addition, all officers are now covered under a group life insurance policy, which provides financial protection to their families in the event of death or permanent disability,” he said.
The two insurance schemes have also been extended to cover all cadres of KPS officers,
while NYS has instituted a Mental Health Policy offering access to professional guidance and counseling services for its service members.
Omollo was reacting to a High Court ruling on Thursday which declared President William Ruto’s move to establish the national taskforce to review police welfare unconstitutional.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi ruled Thursday April 10 the President violated the Constitution and, therefore, the 23-member taskforce headed by former Chief Justice David Maraga is unconstitutional and any decision made by it is also unconstitutional null and void.
“The president has no constitutional authority to assign a specific responsibility assigned to a commission that is not complementing but undermining the discharge of mandate of the independent commission,” Justice Mugambi ruled.
The judge further said the President over stepped his decision and mandate, thus found it unconstitutional to the extent it divested the National Police its powers of functions as mandated by registration and the constitution.
Consequently, the judge ruled that the president erred in establishing the national taskforce on improvement terms of service and conditions of service of members of National Police and Kenya prison and conferring it roles that are the mandate of the police commission.
The case was filed by Nakuru-based medic Dr Magare Gikenyi who asked the court to declare unconstitutional the national taskforce to review police welfare.
The taskforce was established by Ruto in December last year.
Omollo said police reforms will continue in line with the rule of law while remaining focused on the realities and needs of Kenya’s security landscape.
He said a phased salary increment plan is also underway across the NPS ranks.
The basic salary for Police Constables at the entry level has risen by Sh4,000 the biggest rise in the last 10 years, he said.
“Officers due for retirement are notified 12 months in advance, in a deliberate move to enable timely processing of their pension benefits. In addition, they undergo mandatory pre-retirement training to prepare for a smooth transition.”
Further, KPS has automated salary and allowance payments for its officers, a move that has improved efficiency and accountability.
In yet another milestone, the government has also introduced hardship allowances for NYS personnel serving in designated remote areas.
Further, a mortgage scheme has been developed, with a raft of recommendations and a framework to allocate a fraction of affordable housing units to NPS officers.
“The Housing Committee has also regularized staff housing allocations for KPS personnel, a strategic decision that has enhanced fairness in access across all ranks.”
“On human resource management and staffing, the NPS has introduced an e-learning platform to provide a progressive training on human rights, with the system accessible to all officers at any time,” he said.
The Service is also finalizing new pay grades and grading structures for non-uniformed staff, the PS said.
In KPS, a human resource audit is underway to guide rational deployment, with officers
aged 50 and above are being considered for redeployment closer to their home counties to support family and health needs.
The NYS has adopted a fully automated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to streamline all human resource functions. The Service has also fully digitized recruitment, which is publicly advertised to promote transparency and eliminate irregularities.
“Meanwhile, the NPS is developing a framework for modern and model police stations, in line with a broader vision to transform the facilities into centers of excellence.”
The Service is also currently securing title deeds for all police land and premises, with proper fencing to safeguard these assets.
The KPS, in close collaboration with the State Department for Public Works, is also designing a framework for modern correctional facilities, he said.
He said an inventory of all the land parcels owned by the Service has already been completed and the titling process is ongoing.
The government has also formed an inter-ministerial committee to address and expedite court cases related to parcels with contentious ownership.
He said uniform reforms have also been initiated following a directive by the Inspector General in line with the recommendation of the Taskforce.
Further, all police formations are also obliged to honor summons from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and provide the Authority with unrestricted access to facilities.
“These steps are crucial to ensuring transparency, promoting civilian oversight, and reinforcing public trust in the security services. On this, the KPS has submitted the Correctional Services Bill and Policy, which clearly outlines a roadmap for improving operational efficiency and service delivery within correctional facilities,” he said.
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