Maraga reforms on police welfare progressing, says PS Omollo

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Officers from the Prisons Department and the National Youth Service (NYS) are set to receive a salary increase next month, following a recent pay hike for uniformed officers that took effect on July 1, 2024.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo confirmed that the pay adjustments align with a presidential directive to expedite the recommendations of the Maraga Reform Taskforce, led by former Chief Justice David Maraga.

"In the first phase, uniformed officers received a basic salary increase of 40 per cent for constables, with the percentage gradually decreasing for higher ranks, down to a 3 percent increase for senior officers," said Omollo in a statement. 

The reform process is set to span four years, from 2024 to 2028, guided by a strategic framework focusing on four core areas; leadership within the three services, oversight and accountability, institutional capacity development, and operational preparedness and logistical capability.

“To ensure seamless implementation of the reforms, we have established technical committees to develop the legal and policy frameworks for the three services, which have also been officially gazetted,” the PS added.

The terms of reference for these technical committees include proposing amendments to key laws and policies governing the security sector. 

These include the National Police Service (Amendment) Bill, the National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Amendment) Bill.

“The National Correctional Services Policy and the Kenya Correctional Services Bill are currently open for public participation."

Interior Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to fully implementing the reforms, adding that units have been established across the National Police Service, the Kenya Prisons Service, and the National Youth Service to coordinate the implementation of these changes.