President William Ruto has hinted that police officers could receive further salary reviews as the government continues discussions with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
Ruto said the government would continue working with the SRC and the National Police Service Commission to ensure police officers are paid fairly, taking into account the risks and responsibilities that come with their work.
The President spoke on Friday, August 28, while addressing newly trained officers at the National Police College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.
His remarks come after the government completed a three-phase review of police salaries, which increased the basic pay for officers from KSh21,000 to KSh29,000.
Ruto said the latest changes amounted to a 36 per cent increase, adding that salaries for officers in other ranks had also been reviewed upwards.
“We will continue working with the National Police Service Commission and SRC to ensure that remuneration remains fair, sustainable and commensurate with the responsibilities and risks carried by our diligent officers,” he said.
Ruto links pay to wider police reforms
The President said improving police officers’ pay should go hand in hand with better working and living conditions.
He said the government could not expect officers to maintain high standards of professionalism while ignoring issues such as housing, healthcare, equipment and career progression.
“We cannot demand professionalism, integrity and sacrifice from our police officers while remaining indifferent to their remuneration, housing, healthcare, equipment, career progression and psychological well-being,” Ruto said.
He explained that there would be no way the government can expect high levels of professionalism among officers without considering things such as housing, medical care, equipment and career development among others.
“Cannot call for professionalism, integrity, and sacrifice on our police force yet indifferent to their salaries, housing, health, equipment, career development and mental state,” said Ruto.
He went on to say that the government is currently engaged in efforts to bring about reforms which would improve the well being of police officers.
Launching of new police uniform
While in Kiganjo, President Ruto also launched a new police uniform.
He said the new design followed consultations carried out with officers and members of the public in 2023, as well as recommendations from the Presidential Task Force on police reforms.
According to the President, officers had raised concerns about the quality and suitability of the previous uniform.
The officers graduating from Kiganjo on Friday became the first group to wear the new uniform.
The new outfit will then be introduced to General Duty officers across the country from next week.
However, officers serving in the Administration Police Service and General Service Unit (GSU) will continue wearing their current operational uniforms.
Ruto said changing the uniform alone would not make the police service more professional.
“A uniform does not necessarily create a professional. Character, discipline, training and conduct do,” he said.
He added that the changes were also meant to improve the morale and dignity of officers.
More officers enrolled in Usalama Cover
Ruto also announced that the government had introduced the Usalama Cover under the Social Health Authority (SHA) for police and prison officers.
More than 138,000 officers and their dependants have so far been enrolled in the programme, according to the President.
He said the wider reforms are aimed at building a police service that is better trained, equipped and protected while ensuring officers remain accountable and operate within the law.
