By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
All National Police Service Officials police officers have received a salary raise effective July 1, 2024.
In the first phase, uniformed constables received a basic salary increase of 40%, with the percentage decreasing progressively for higher ranks, reaching a 3% increase for senior officers.
Beginning September 2024, officers within the Kenya Prisons Service and the National Youth Service will also benefit from the revised pay as part of the Presidential directive to swiftly implement the recommendations of the Hon. Chief Justice (Rtd) David Maraga Reform Taskforce, which are being applied across the three disciplined services.
According to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the reform process is set to take four years, from 2024 to 2028, guided by a strategic framework that focuses on four core areas that are leadership within the three services, oversight and accountability, institutional capacity development and human resource management, and operational preparedness and logistical capability.
The Ministry of Interior has established Technical Committees on Development of the Legal and Policy Frameworks covering the three Services that have also been officially gazetted to ensure seamless implementation of the reforms.
In a Press Statement released by the Ministry of Interior, the Terms of Reference of these technical committees include proposing amendments to key laws and policies governing the security sector.
These are the National Police Service (Amendment) Bill, the National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Amendment) Bill.
Additionally, the National Correctional Services Policy and the Kenya Correctional Services Bill are currently open for public participation.
“In line with the reforms, the policing technical working group is also developing the National Forensic Laboratory Bill as well as reviewing the Police training policy, curriculum, human resource, and career progression guidelines and police welfare management frameworks,” reads the statement.
Reform units have been established across the National Police Service, the Kenya Prison Service and the National Youth Service to coordinate the implementation of the reforms.
“A dedicated police reform unit is now operational within the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, hosted by the Directorate of Reforms at the NPS. Similarly, the KPS has set up a new directorate to oversee prison reforms, while the NYS has formed a reform committee for this purpose,” added the statement.
The Ministry of Interior has reaffirmed its commitment to fully implement the reforms which are essential for strengthening the country’s security sector and enhancing service delivery to all Kenyans.