The Government has intensified reforms across the security sector, with ongoing changes in the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), and National Youth Service (NYS) aimed at strengthening capacity, improving welfare, and modernizing operations.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the reforms have already led to the recruitment of 13,860 new officers, including 10,000 Police Constables and 3,860 Prison Constables. He noted that the move is designed to bridge staffing gaps, ease workload pressures, and enhance security presence across the country.
In a major boost to officer welfare, the Government has also rolled out what is described as the most extensive salary review in the history of the disciplined services.
“The review provides for salary increases of up to 40 percent over a two-year period, with Phases I and II already implemented. The final phase is scheduled for July 2026,” he said.
Omollo further highlighted additional welfare measures, including enhanced risk and hardship allowances, as well as progress in the police housing programme.
So far, about 5,000 housing units have been delivered, with the Government targeting a total of 28,000 units.
He added that the transition to the Social Health Authority (SHA) is underway, a move expected to provide officers with broader and more comprehensive medical coverage.
He made the remarks when he met departmental heads at the interior in Nairobi.
At the policy level, the Principal Secretary said legislative reforms are being pursued to strengthen accountability, professionalism, and operational efficiency within the services.
These efforts are being complemented by investments in modern equipment, improved communication systems, and the digitization of security operations.
Omollo noted that the reforms are collectively geared toward building a more efficient, well-equipped, and people-centered security service.
This comes amid challenges facing the police service over financial constraints.
The reforms were proposed by a taskforce appointed by president William Ruto.
The National Taskforce on Improvement of the Terms and Conditions of Service and other Reforms for the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) and National Youth Service was appointed by Ruto on December 21, 2022.
The Taskforce was chaired by Chief Justice (Emeritus), David Maraga with its terms of reference were to identify the legal, policy, administrative, institutional and operational constraints on effective service delivery and to recommend solutions.
It was also to review the terms and conditions of service for the three Services and recommend their improvement.
The Taskforce undertook its work and presented its final report to Ruto on November 4, 2023.
Omollo was gazetted on September 13, 2024 and tasked to, among other key deliverables, develop an Implementation Framework to guide the reforms process.
Ruto said that the funds will be allocated to address key challenges that faced the services, career progression, digitization of records including police OBs and purchase of new equipment.
About Sh22 billion will finance improvement in compensation package for officers while Sh37 billion will go to the upgrading of the hardware and welfare reforms and Sh45 billion is required to implement modernization of the services.
It is estimated that it will cost Sh106 billion to full actualize these recommendations, said Ruto.
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