PS Omollo outlines progress of reforms in security sector following court ruling

The government has implemented almost half of the strategic reforms recommended by the Justice David Maraga task force.

Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo said the National Police Service (NPS) has implemented 47.2 per cent of the reforms while Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) and the National Youth Service (NYS) have each completed 42.9 percent of the proposed changes.

Further, NPS has already rolled out a comprehensive medical insurance scheme, which includes a mental health 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,” said Dr Omollo is a statement, a day after High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi nullified President William Ruto’s decision to establish the task force that recommended the changes, which will cost Sh106 billion.

Justice Mugambi ruled that the President’s move to establish the task force, chaired by Maraga, the former Chief Justice, was illegal as it violated constitutional provisions.

The judge also ruled that, since the task force is unconstitutional, any decisions or actions made by it are likewise invalid.

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"I concur with the petitioner and there this court suspends the operations of the task force and the gazette notice that established it. Any resultant recommendation by the task force deriving from the decision of the task force is unconstitutional, null, and void " Mugambi ruled.

The judge found that the president had no mandate to establish a task force on police reforms, as his decision had overstepped the role of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC). 

Nakuru-based medic Dr. Magare Gikenyi moved to court in 2023 to challenge Dr Ruto's decision to establish the task force for the welfare of police, prisons and NYS officers.

He argued that the president usurped the role of the NSPC, and therefore, the task force was illegal and unconstitutional.

Without stating the next step of action the government intends to take following the court’s ruling, Dr Omollo said insurance schemes enjoyed by police have to be extended to prison officers while NYS has instituted a mental health policy offering access to professional guidance and counseling services.

Already, a phased salary increase is being implemented in NPK where the basic salary of a Police Constable at entry level was last year increased to Sh4,000 while NYS personnel working in remote areas have started receiving hardship allowances.

“Alongside these changes, 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,” states the PS who doubles as the chairperson, the National Steering Committee on Implementation of the Maraga report.

The Maraga task force made a total of 598 recommendations with police having 210, prisons (117) and NYS (210). Out of the 598 recommendations, 291 can be implemented through administrative action without financial implications.

As part of the reforms, police have introduced an e-learning platform to provide progressive training on human rights, and the Service is finalizing new pay grades and grading structures for non-uniformed staff, according to Dr Omollo.

While in prisons, a human resource audit is underway to guide national deployment with officers aged over 50 and above 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.

“Meanwhile, the NPS is developing a framework for modern and model police stations in line with a broader vision to transform the facilities into centres of excellence. The Service is also currently securing title deeds for all police land and premises, with proper fencing to safeguard these assets,” said Dr Omollo.

Similarly, prisons across the country are undergoing a facelift with the PS indicating that an inventory of all land parcels owned by KPS has already been completed and the tilting process is ongoing.

“The government has also formed an inter-ministerial committee to address and expedite court cases related to parcels with contentious ownership,” added Dr Omollo.

On the change of police uniforms, the PS assured the process was underway. Last year, views were collected, and a majority both police and civilian, favoured the sky blue colour that was abandoned in 2018.

“These and other strategic reforms and policy frameworks, are intended to enhance accountability, professionalism, service delivery, and welfare of personnel across our country’s security sector and correctional services,” the PS emphasized.