- In March this year, the committee finalized the guidelines that informed the implementation of the first phase.
- It singled out recommendations that could be implemented through administrative action without requiring funding.
Image: HANDOUT
A comprehensive strategic framework that will guide the implementation of the report on terms and conditions of service for the Police, Prisons and National Youth Service officers has been finalised.
Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary, Dr Raymond Omollo said the development of the strategic framework follows the successful implementation of their recommendations that were prioritised to be included in the first phase of the roll-out.
The Chief Justice (Rtd) David Maraga Taskforce presented its report to President William Ruto in November last year in November.
Ruto directed that the report be implemented expeditiously in full. A national inter-agency team was subsequently formed to guide and start the implementation process.
The National Inter-Agency Steering Committee led by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration includes senior officials of the Ministry of Public Service, the National Treasury, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).
Others include officers drawn from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Public Service Commission (PSC), National Youth Service (NYS) Council, the Judiciary, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) among others.
Image: HANDOUT
Chaired by Dr Omollo, the committee started its work with the unpacking of at least 200 recommendations contained in the report.
In March this year, the committee finalised the guidelines that informed the implementation of the first phase.
It singled out recommendations that could be implemented through administrative action without requiring funding.
In this phase, Omollo said, service charters of the three services were reviewed and service standards developed.
Staff training and sensitisations focusing on the new service standards and far-reaching service delivery reforms have started, Omollo said.
The PS noted that the implementation of this phase of the reforms are at 65 per cent for NYS, 42 per cent for Kenya Prisons Service and 37 per cent at NPS.
“The complaints handling processes for the three services have been reviewed in line with the recommendations of the task force,” he said.
He added consultations on the implementation of recommendations that require funding without policy or legislation are at an advanced stage.
One such recommendation is on new basic salary scheme for the police, prisons and NYS officers.
Omollo explained that the strategic framework that sets out a clear implementation structure and roadmap has been developed in consultation with the National Treasury, Salaries RemunerationCommission (SRC) and the Public Service Commission (PSC).
“We are similarly bringing development partners to the table to support some of the projects and programmes identified in the recommendations,” said the PS.
The strategic framework set to be launched soon will guide the remaining phase of the implementation process.
Omollo said the framework which will guide the team in ensuring effective implementation will cover areas that include leadership in the three services, oversight and accountability, institutional capacity development and human resource management and development, as well as operational preparedness and logistical capability.
There were concerns after it emerged there was no budgetary allocation for the reforms. The ambitious reforms that were billed as the solution to the welfare of police officers missed out completely from the next year’s budget.
This is after the Treasury failed to make any allocation to the Sh15 billion that was required to finance the changes.
The task force noted that a major challenge in evaluating and determining the remuneration of the Services has been the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s use of inappropriate tools and its lack of recognition that the services’ mandate and nature of work are unique and different from that of mainstream Public Service in terms of decision-making, risks, and disruption of family life, among other factors.
The team recommended the creation of “the Disciplined and Security Services Sector” comprising the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Intelligence Service (NIS), NPS, KPS, and NYS as a separate budget sector.
The team recommended that the basic salary of the members of the three Services be raised by 40 per cent at the lowest constable level with a decompression ratio, based on the current salary.
For non-uniformed members of NPS, given their work environment, the Taskforce recommended a new allowance to improve their terms and conditions of service.
To address complaints of misappropriation, the task force recommended that the payment of all allowances should be automated and promptly made directly into the officers’ bank accounts.
National Police Service CommissionThe team wanted the members of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) to leave office.
This caused jitters in the commission with the possibility of leaving the secretariat to run the affairs there if the recommendations were implemented.
The team said the NPSC leadership has acquiesced to the continued usurpation of its functions by the National Police Service leadership, thereby exacerbating the vices that it was established to redress.