Kindiki appoints committee to oversee police reforms

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has appointed the National Steering Committee to implement reforms in the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service and National Youth Service.

The committee was formed following recommendations from the Maraga Taskforce.

Chaired by Interior Principal Secretary of the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo, the committee includes Principal Secretaries from the National Treasury, State Department for Correctional Services, State Department for Public Service and Cabinet Affairs.

Other members are the Solicitor General, the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner Generals of the Kenya Prisons Service and the National Youth Service.

The Chairpersons of the National Youth Service Commission and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority also serve on the committee.

Representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Public Service Commission, Salaries and Remuneration Commission, National Youth Service Council and the Kenya Law Reform Commission are included.

A key recommendation from the Maraga Taskforce report is a proposed 40 per cent pay rise for police, prisons and National Youth Service officers over the next three years.

President William Ruto, receiving the task force's final report said the government would implement all the recommendations.

"The task force concluded that the security services faced serious challenges that required urgent and comprehensive reforms," said Ruto.

The report identified inefficient leadership, structural weaknesses, corruption and lack of funding as the main issues hindering the security sector.

It recommended limiting service duration in a county to three years and restricting intakes to the constable and cadet levels to ensure clear career progression.

The task force also called for upholding integrity in the recruitment and promotion of officers, investing in modern equipment and allocating a supplementary budget for implementation.

It suggested these measures to address political interference and enhance service delivery in the security sector.

On December 21, 2022, Ruto established the task force, led by former Chief Justice David Maraga, to review the operations of the police and prison services.

The task force later included the National Youth Service.