Kindiki appoints committee to oversee implementation of police reforms

Police officers during Madaraka Day Celebrations. [File, Standard]

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has appointed the National Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of police reforms proposed by the Maraga Taskforce.

The changes will be rolled out in the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service and National Youth Service (NYS) over the next three years.

The committee will be chaired by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and 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 in 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 members of the committee.

The Maraga Taskforce proposed 40 per cent pay rise for police, prisons and NYS officers over the next three years.

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

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.

The team made the recommendations to address political interference and enhance service delivery in the security sector.