President William Ruto has announced that the government is reviewing the salaries and terms of service for police officers as part of a broader effort to improve the morale and effectiveness of the security sector.
Speaking during a development tour in the Mt Kenya region on Friday, President Ruto emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting law enforcement officers through improved remuneration and working conditions. He noted that phase one of the salary increment has already been rolled out, marking the beginning of the implementation of comprehensive police reforms.
“Our goal is to boost their morale, enabling them to serve the people diligently and protect lives and property,” Ruto said, adding that the reforms would make police officers more efficient in their duties.
The salary review is one of the recommendations of a task force chaired by retired Chief Justice David Maraga. The task force proposed a 40 per cent salary increase for officers, to be implemented in three phases. According to Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, the first phase an increase of 20 per cent was implemented on July 1, 2024, primarily benefiting police constables. Higher-ranking officers will receive smaller proportional increases.
PS Omollo further outlined that the reforms will span four years, from 2024 to 2028. They will be guided by a strategic framework focusing on leadership development, oversight and accountability, institutional capacity, human resource management, and operational preparedness.
To complement the salary adjustments, President Ruto revealed that the government is also addressing the housing needs of police officers. Under the Affordable Housing Programme, 27,000 housing units are being constructed for officers nationwide. On Friday, the President handed over more than 60 new housing units at Chuka Police Station in Tharaka Nithi County.
“These housing units will ensure officers live in dignity and work with peace of mind,” Ruto said.
The government has also established Technical Committees to develop the legal and policy frameworks needed to support the reforms. These committees have been officially gazetted to ensure accountability and seamless implementation across the police services.
