Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has sharply criticized the High Court’s decision to declare the Maraga-led police reforms taskforce unlawful, warning that the ruling could stall much-needed reforms in the National Police Service.
Speaking during a public address in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County on Saturday, Murkomen described the verdict as “irresponsible” and out of touch with the urgent challenges police officers face daily. He said the ruling undermines efforts by the government to address long-standing concerns raised by officers, particularly regarding their welfare.
The High Court, in a decision delivered by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, ruled that President William Ruto had no legal mandate to appoint the 23-member taskforce in December 2022. The court found that the President had overstepped his constitutional authority by assigning the taskforce roles that fall under the jurisdiction of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), an independent constitutional body.
“The President cannot, under the disguise of executive powers, take functions of an independent commission and vest them in a taskforce. It is unlawful and unconstitutional,” Justice Mugambi stated. As a result, any decisions or recommendations made by the taskforce were declared invalid.
Murkomen, however, defended the formation of the taskforce, saying it was necessary given the overwhelming concerns raised by officers during nationwide security forums such as Jukwaa la Usalama. He emphasized that issues such as housing, transfers, promotions, remuneration, and mobility have been repeatedly highlighted by officers, and the taskforce was created to address these matters swiftly.
“It is unbelievable that a judge aware of the hardships officers face would dismiss a taskforce that was listening and acting on their concerns,” Murkomen lamented. He added that reforms under his watch aim to modernize policing through better housing, equipment, technology, and human resource management.
The taskforce, chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga, submitted its report in October 2023 with recommendations including salary increments and improved working conditions for police officers. With the court’s decision now invalidating the taskforce’s work, the future of these proposals remains uncertain.
