Government to uphold court ruling on police reforms, says PS Omollo

The government has pledged to respect and comply with recent court rulings regarding police reforms, affirming its commitment to legally implementing changes within the security sector.

Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo said the reform process will proceed in adherence to the law, emphasizing the critical role played by police officers in maintaining national stability.

“There can be no development without security. Police officers, like all Kenyans, deserve decent working conditions, and we must facilitate them. We will continue on the police reform trajectory,” Dr. Omollo said.

Speaking in his capacity as Chair of the National Steering Committee on the Implementation of the Maraga Taskforce Reforms, Dr. Omollo revealed that nearly half of the strategic reforms proposed by the task force have already been implemented by the Ministry.

According to the PS, the National Police Service (NPS) has achieved 47.2 percent implementation of the reforms, while the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) and National Youth Service (NYS) have each completed 42.9 percent.

Among the notable developments is the rollout of a comprehensive medical insurance scheme by the NPS, which includes mental health coverage for officers and their dependents.

Additionally, all officers are now covered under a group life insurance policy providing financial support to families in the event of death or permanent disability.

Dr. Omollo’s remarks come just days after High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi ruled that President William Ruto’s formation of the Maraga-led task force was unconstitutional.

The court found that the president had overstepped his authority, which lies with the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), thereby rendering the task force and its recommendations legally invalid.

The court decision followed a legal challenge filed in 2023 by Nakuru-based medic Dr. Magare Gikenyi, who questioned the legality of the task force’s establishment and its Sh106 billion reform agenda for the police, prisons, and NYS.

Despite the court ruling, the Interior Ministry has maintained its commitment to reforming the security sector, insisting that progress already made will not be rolled back but will be pursued within constitutional parameters.