Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary,Dr Raymond Omollo.
In a resounding call for change, Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo has voiced his strong optimism about the forthcoming police reforms, underscoring the government’s commitment to overhauling the National Police Service, National Youth Service (NYS), and Kenya Prisons Service. Speaking at a Nairobi hotel on Thursday, June 6, during the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop, Omollo highlighted the urgency and importance of these reforms.
“The government is fully committed to prioritizing the recommendations in the report prepared by the David Maraga-led team,” Omollo announced. This comprehensive report, which was submitted to President William Ruto last November, outlines 598 specific recommendations aimed at improving officers’ welfare, pay, allowances, and working conditions. Of these, 271 pertain to the police service, 210 to NYS, and 117 to the prison service.
Dr. Omollo detailed that 36% of the recommendations could be immediately implemented through administrative actions. “Another 29% would require funds to be implemented without policy or legislative actions,” he added. The total cost of implementing these far-reaching reforms is estimated at Sh108 billion, which will be spread over a four-year period from 2024 to 2028.
The strategic framework for these reforms, developed in consultation with stakeholders since February, focuses on four key areas: leadership, oversight and accountability, institutional capacity development, and operational preparedness. “These areas were identified by an inter-agency steering committee following the recommendations of the Maraga task force,” Omollo explained.
Despite the comprehensive plan, there are significant financial challenges ahead. The ambitious reforms were conspicuously absent from the next year’s budget, with the Treasury failing to allocate the necessary Sh15 billion. Nevertheless, Dr. Omollo remains optimistic. “Reforms that don’t require funding are already at an advanced stage,” he assured.
During a roundtable meeting at the Sarova Stanley in Nairobi, development partners expressed their support for the reform agenda. UNDP Resident Representative Anthony Ngororano praised the government’s swift development of the strategic framework, while UK High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan highlighted the importance of the reforms in enhancing police accountability and fighting corruption.
“Congratulations for coming up with the strategic framework within a short period and setting up the reform unit as well as the national steering committee to guide the process,” Ngororano said. Wigan added, “We commend the progress made in the short period taken to develop the strategic framework that will govern and prioritize the police reform agenda.”
The United Kingdom has pledged to support the police modernization program and will assist in monitoring and evaluating the reforms. Omollo urged development partners to continue their support, emphasizing the need for collaborative effort to ensure successful implementation.
Also present at the meeting were Principal Secretary for Correctional Services Dr. Salome Muhia-Beacco and Solicitor-General Hon Shadrack Mose, both of whom expressed their commitment to driving the reforms forward.
As the workshop concluded, there was a palpable sense of renewed commitment among all stakeholders. Despite the budgetary challenges, the strategic framework and the collective resolve of the government and its partners signal a new dawn for the National Police Service and related institutions, promising a future of enhanced efficiency, accountability, and welfare for officers.
