The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) is pressing for urgent action regarding the delayed compensation claims for police officers injured while on duty.
NPSC is specifically calling on the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), now restructured as the Social Health Authority (SHA), to expedite the settlement of these claims.
In a recent submission to the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations, NPSC Chairperson Eliud Kinuthia emphasized the need for the committee's intervention to ensure these claims are processed promptly.
According to NPSC, a total of 1,756 injury-related claims from police officers within the Kenya Police Service (KPS), Administration Police Service (APS), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were submitted to NHIF between 2021 and 2022.
Additionally, they said of these, only 937 claims were settled, leaving over half unresolved.
In their statement, they said the delay is concerning, as under the terms of the Work Injury Benefits Act, NHIF is legally obligated to settle these claims within 90 days.
Another critical issue raised by Kinuthia is the practice of NHIF requiring injured officers to undergo a second medical assessment.
This comes after an initial assessment has already been conducted by the Director of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSH), who, according to the contractual agreement, is recognized as the final authority on such assessments.
Kinuthia argues that this additional medical assessment by NHIF not only causes unnecessary delays but also contradicts the agreed-upon procedures that should be followed.
The NPSC is urging the Senate committee to ensure that the process respects the contractual framework and allows DOSH’s findings to be final.
Kinuthia also expressed concern over the exemption of NHIF (now SHA) from being regulated by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA).
This lack of regulatory oversight, Kinuthia argues, leaves the National Police Service vulnerable to potential mismanagement and inefficiency within the NHIF system. Without proper regulation, there is no external accountability, which has contributed to the delays and administrative challenges in settling these claims.
In light of these concerns, the NPSC is calling on the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations to take immediate action to address the delays and systemic issues within NHIF.
Kinuthia has asked for the committee's assistance in expediting the claims settlement process and ensuring that the provisions of the Work Injury Benefits Act are enforced.
During the submission to the Senate Committee, Chairperson Eliud Kinuthia was accompanied by other key NPSC leaders, including Vice Chairperson Dr. Alice Otwala, Commissioners John Ole Moyaki, Eusebius Laibuta, Edwin Cheluget, and CEO Peter Leley.
Together, they made a compelling case for urgent reforms and swift action to resolve the challenges faced by injured officers.
