- In the first phase, uniformed officers received a basic salary increase of 40 per cent for constables
- The percentage gradually decreased for higher ranks, with senior officers only receiving three per cent rise
Image: HANDOUT
Special units have been established in security services agencies to coordinate implementation of reforms.
The reforms proposed by a task force report by retired Chief Justice David Marga will cut across the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service and the National Youth Service .
Interior PS Raymond Omollo said the different units will be operationalised at the Interior Ministry and hosted by the directorate of reforms at NPS..
“We reaffirm our commitment to fully implement these reforms, which are essential for strengthening the country’s security sector and enhancing service delivery,” he said.
He said as part of implementation of the reforms, all police officers will receive a pay rise effective July 1.
In the first phase, uniformed officers received a basic salary increase of 40 per cent for constables.
The percentage gradually decreased for higher ranks, with senior officers only receiving three per cent rise.
All junior officers were paid Sh4,000 more.
KPS and NYS officers will receive a pay rise following the presidential directive on expeditious implementation of task force recommendations starting next month.
Omollo said the reform process, guided by a strategic framework that focuses on four core areas, will go on until 2028.
The core areas include leadership within the three services, oversight and accountability, institutional capacity development and human resource management and operational preparedness and logistical capability.
"To ensure seamless implementation of the reforms, we have established technical committees on development of the Legal and Policy Frameworks covering the three Services that have also been officially gazetted," Omollo said.
The terms of reference of these 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 KenyaCorrectional 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, career progression guidelines and police welfare management frameworks.
The government needs a staggering Sh108 billion to implement the far-reaching reforms.
The report identified specific issues such as political interference in the National Police Service, corruption in employment and promotions, police training curriculum, an inadequate National Police Service Commission, the role of CS responsible for national security and structure of the Internal AffairsUnit in the police.
While presenting the report, Maraga called for political goodwill in the implementation of the recommendations saying similar proposals were previously made but never implemented.
"It also became clear that the reform recommendations stand little chance of being implemented if the leadership issues are not addressed," Maraga said.
Prioritising transparency, professionalism and community engagement have the potential to not only reshape the police service but also rebuild trust between law enforcement agencies and the people they serve.