The government is set to increase the salaries for the National Police Service (NPS), National Youth Service (NYS), and Kenya Prisons Service officers by 40 per cent over the next three years.
President William Ruto made the announcement on Thursday after receiving the recommendations of the taskforce on police reforms chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga at State House in Nairobi.
The President agreed with the recommendation made by the Maraga team saying the move would be vital in restoring integrity, efficiency and accountability in the security forces.
“I have seen the recommendation made by the taskforce to enhance salaries of our police, NYS and prison service by 40% over the next three years,” he said.
“I think it is a well-considered recommendation and we will now await the work from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to make the necessary adjustment so that we can implement the recommendation.”
He added: “Our primary objective is to secure the transformation of this nation by instituting a professional, efficient, effective security sector which is defined by integrity and accountability.”
The Head of State highlighted issues raised by the taskforce among them corruption and underfunding surrounding the welfare of security personnel, saying his administration would also review the living conditions, housing, and insurance to transform the sector.
“The taskforce has diagnosed four primary problems in our services that have hampered effective and efficient service delivery, rendered them resistant to growth and transformation and collapsed their stature in the eyes of Kenyans. The problems are, broadly, underfunding, deficient leadership, structural and organisational weaknesses and, most critically of all, corruption,” he noted.
“I am directing the relevant organs of government to commence implementation of reviewing the pay, living conditions, medical cover, housing and other aspects of welfare for members of the services and simply do the right thing by our officers.”
Similarly, Ruto pledged to ensure the reconstitution of the three security bodies for better alignment in terms of legislation and policies.
Other key reforms by the State include the institutionalisation of long-term equipment modernisation, automation of human resource and finance management procedures revolving around recruitment, transfer promotions and payments of salaries and allowances.
The President also pledged to ensure no officer serves for more than three years in the same county, adding that promotion and recruitment of members of the police services will be made transparent.