Security Committee Meets UNDP Scoping Mission, Deliberate the Acceleration of Police Reforms Implementation
Kenya is open for collaboration in accelerating the implementation of the recommendations of the National Taskforce on Improvement of the Terms and Conditions of Service and other Reforms for members of the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service and the National Youth Service.
This was revealed this morning by the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West) when the Committee met with a team from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) led by Ms. Revai Makanje Aalbaek -UNDP Rule of Law Team, New York.
The team comprising of officers from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration who together with the UNDP Officers form a Scoping Mission, met the legislators as part of their scheduled engagements with relevant stakeholders with a view to understand the key priorities for support.
It is envisaged that the Mission will lead to the development of a Police Reform Programme for support by Development Partners and the Government of Kenya.
Noting that the Committee had made recommendations to the Taskforce led by former Chief Justice, Hon. David Maraga, Hon. Tongoyo highlighted some of the challenges facing the disciplined forces which require urgent attention. Among those he identified are, police remuneration, police housing and need for phychosocial support for the officers.
“I want to go on record and inform the Scoping Mission that this Committee contributed immensely towards some of the recommendations made by the Taskforce. If we are going to cause enhanced service delivery, we need to urgently address the issue of police renumeration, housing and the issue of their mental wellness”, he told the team.
He further revealed that the House was already ceased of a Bill meant to accelerate phychosocial support in a bid to promote mental wellness among the officers.
Last year, Suna West MP, Peter Masara filled a proposed law seeking to amend the National Police Service Commission Act, 2011 to mainstream mental healthcare in the National Police Service, to make provisions for the mental wellness and well-being of police officers.
The Bill also seek the establishment of mental health and wellness resources in every region including well-equipped centres in offices, camps, training colleges and communities for police officers to receive psychosocial support.
Committee Members led by Homabay Town legislator, Hon. Peter Kaluma underscored to the team the need for external support, given the immense resources required to roll out some of the recommendations. Hon. Kaluma pointed out that for some of the recommendations would occasion constitutional amendments or even a referendum to effect.
“I know there are number of questions on why for instance Parliament is yet to actualize the implementation of the recommendations by the Taskforce. It is imperative to note that there are many intricacies within the statecraft. We are also operating within a very constrained financial environment and we require a lot of support”, Hon. Kaluma held.
On their part, the UNDP team which noted that Parliament has a central role in the implementation of the Report through enactment of legislation, expressed interest in collaborating with the Members in rolling out the proposed legislation by the Taskforce.
Key among the recommendations geared towards improving the welfare of the police, is the proposed increase of their basic pay by 40 per cent. Estimates show that the proposed reforms require about Kshs.60-70bn to be effected.
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