State needs Sh108bn to implement police reforms – PS Omollo

 

Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo

The government needs Sh108 billion to implement far-reaching reforms in the police, prisons service and National Youth Service, Interior and National Coordination PS Raymond Omollo has said.

Omollo noted that the reforms will be implemented in four years – 2024 to 2028 – in line with a strategic framework guiding the process.

Omollo said the framework developed in consultation with stakeholders has identified four key areas of reform.

They include leadership in the three services, oversight and accountability, institutional capacity development and human resource management and development, as well as operational preparedness and logistical capability.

“As Kenya moves forward, the success of these reforms will hinge on their effective implementation and the continued support and collaboration of all stakeholders,” Omollo said in a statement.

In December 2022, President William Ruto formed a task force on police reforms that was led by retired Chief Justice David Maraga.

The taskforce in its report handed over to the President in November 2023 recommended far-reaching implications to the National Police Service, the Prisons Service and the National Youth Service.

Recommendations included the improvement of logistics, mobility, and equipment to be used by the National Police Service, the Prisons Service, and the NYS in a bid to enhance their work and streamline service delivery to the public.

The report identified specific issues such as political interference in the National Police Service, corruption in employment and promotions, police training curriculum, an inadequate National Police Service Commission, the role of the Cabinet Secretary responsible for National Security and the structure of the Internal Affairs Unit in the police.

Maraga called for political goodwill in the implementation of the recommendations saying similar proposals were previously made but never implemented.

"It also became clear that the reform recommendations stand little chance of being implemented if the leadership issues are not addressed," the retired Chief Justice said.

On Friday, Omollo said the ministry is committed to ensuring the task force report is implemented.

by ALLAN KISIA