KENYA : The Ministry of Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba murkomen has announced a forthcoming salary increment for National Police Service (NPS) Officers.
Speaking on Sunday, January 12, 2025, Murkomen revealed that the NPS will receive sh28 Billion from the Government.
According to the Interior Cs, the funds will support the purchase of modern protective gear, armored vehicles, and new vehicles over the next two years, to enhance Police operations.
“The police service will receive 3,000 new vehicles this year as part of a major government program to improve the working conditions of security officers and enable them to address national safety challenges more effectively,” Murkomen said.
Murkomen highlighted ongoing efforts to improve police welfare, including inclusion in medical schemes and affordable housing programs.
Additionally, Murkomen revealed that lower-cadre officers will receive a pay hike, following a 20 per cent raise implemented in July last year.
“An additional 10 per cent pay increase is set to take effect this year,” he added.
The Interior Cs, also pledged support for the Inspector General of Police in addressing mental health challenges within the service.
“We should avoid criminalising attempted suicide and instead foster a culture of support for those in need,” said Murkomen.
The Interior Cs, also warned that the government will track and prosecute criminals, including those issuing threats online.
Interior Public Secretary (PS) Raymond Omollo on his part urged officers to uphold a positive image of the service.
“Many people take their security and safety for granted. We must appreciate the police officers who make it possible for us to go about our daily lives undisturbed,” Omollo said.
POLICE RECRUITMENT.
The National Police Service (NPS) is set to recruit cadets to join the police service after two years of recruitment freeze, Principal Secretary for Internal Security Dr. Raymond Omollo revealed.
Speaking in a media interview on Friday, January 10, 2025 Omollo announced that the upcoming police recruitment will also feature the hiring of cadets.
“There are issues around human resources that we must do and human rights that we must undertake and even the proposals to reintroduce the hiring of cadet officers so that not everybody who joins the rank and file of the national police must join the same level and all these are geared towards addressing some of the gaps,” Omollo disclosed.
According to Omollo, the move aims to improve service delivery within the police service and align it with former Chief Justice David Maraga’s recommendations on police reforms.
The PS mentioned that some of Maraga’s recommendations have already been implemented, particularly those addressing the movement of officers to prevent them from overstaying in specific stations.
“Some of those have been actualized- particularly the administrative ones that talk around the movement of officers or just to address the gap of officers overstaying in specific or particular stations overtime,” Omollo stated.
Additionally, part of the recommendations concerning the salaries and remuneration of police officers has also been put into effect.
Among the reforms recommended by former Chief Justice David Maraga are measures aimed at combating corruption within the police service by reducing unethical practices in employment, promotions, and daily operations.
The reforms also emphasize the need for improved leadership to ensure greater accountability and efficiency within the service.
Additionally, Maraga proposed the reduction of political interference in police operations to promote impartiality and professionalism.
Another key aspect of the reforms involves revising the police training curriculum to better equip officers to handle modern challenges effectively.
The National Police Service resumption of recruiting officers comes after it was halted for 2 years.
