The government has intensified efforts to reform Kenya’s policing sector after the National Steering Committee on Police Reforms reviewed progress on a series of legislative and policy changes aimed at strengthening the National Police Service (NPS) and related institutions.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo chaired the committee meeting, which assessed the status of five key reform Bills currently under consideration.
The proposed legislation includes the National Police Service Amendment Bill, the National Police Service Commission Amendment Bill, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Amendment Bill, the National Police Service Veterans and Fallen Heroes Bill, and the National Forensic Science Bill.
According to Dr. Omollo, the meeting focused on addressing outstanding policy issues, harmonising institutional mandates and providing strategic direction to facilitate the preparation of drafting instructions before the Bills are submitted for government consideration.
“Deliberations focused on resolving outstanding policy issues, aligning institutional mandates and providing strategic direction to facilitate preparation of drafting instructions and eventual submission of the reform Bills for processing and consideration by Government,” he said.
The reforms are expected to enhance accountability, professionalism and operational effectiveness within the police service while strengthening oversight institutions.
The committee also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the reform process remains coordinated, constitutionally compliant and driven by stakeholder engagement.
“The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to a coordinated, constitutionally compliant and stakeholder-driven reform process,” Dr. Omollo noted.
The meeting was attended by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja Kirocho, Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Vice Chairperson Ann Wanjiku Mwangi and other senior government officials involved in the reform agenda.