FOUR KEY STRATEGIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NATIONAL POLICE REFORMS

BY VICTORIA MOVINE 

Dr. Raymond Omollo, PS international security and national administration speaking during a roundtable meeting with development partners on the implementation of reforms in the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) and the National Youth Service (NYS) on  Thursday, 6 June 2024

The principal Secretary internal security and national administration Dr Raymond Omollo has affirmed four key areas that needed the implementation of reforms in the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) and the National Youth Service (NYS) from the report submitted by the former chief justice David Maraga taskforce on the reforms. 

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

PS Omollo said the team has looked at all the 598 recommendations provided in the report and is developing a strategic framework for the implementation to ensure coherence among the reform institutions.

“The development of the Strategic Framework for implementation of the reforms which began in February this year aims to provide an integrated approach to reform priorities in a strategic and coordinated manner to ensure coherence among the reform institutions,” said Dr Omollo.

The four areas that have been identified are leadership, oversight and accountability, institutional capacity development, human resource management and development and operational preparedness and logistical capacity.

Speaking on Thursday, 6 June, during a roundtable meeting with development partners on the implementation of reforms in the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service and the National Youth Service, The PS said out of the 598 recommendations, a total of 271 touched on the National Police Service, 210 were for the Kenya Prisons Service while those for the National Youth Service were 117.

“The unpacking of the reforms recommendations was finalized in March this year and the working team expressed that a total of 221 recommendations could be implemented immediately through administrative actions,” said Omollo.

The PS noted that the strategic framework gives consideration on the Kenya Constitution, Kenya Vision 2030, Fourth Medium Term Plan 2023-2027, United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development , African Union Agenda 2063 and the East Africa Community Vision 2050.

He also highlighted that through good leadership, oversight and accountability, there will be increased capacity for internal and external accountability, transparency and prevention of corruption thereby improving service delivery and public confidence.

Other strategies that the team will put in place include the developing of modernization masterplan, establish modernization fund, implement modernization projects for improved service delivery, improve terms and conditions of service, salary and benefits, enhance career and succession management.

In his remarks, the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan said through their program they will support the four pillars of the strategic framework through their Internal Affairs Unit of NPS, The Independent Police Oversight Authority and the National Steering Committee on the police reforms.

“We will also provide technical support to selected police stations to improve service delivery and the Ministry of Interior in the development of tracking tools for monitoring and evaluating the report,” said Wigan.