MORE MONEY FOR POLICE

A new salary package for the Kenya Police has been proposed with the lowest paid officers set to earn three times their current pay.

The huge monthly salaries compared to the current remuneration, are contained in a structure to be discussed by the Cabinet, which if adopted, would be implemented in July.

A government official, who saw the document but cannot be named as he is not authorised to speak on pending Cabinet matters, told the Nation it proposes a Sh34,000 monthly salary for a constable, the lowest ranked officer, up from Sh11,000.

Inspectors would get a minimum of over Sh60,000 per month, up from Sh24,000.

The figures exclude other benefits like house, risk, medical, field and special allowances.

Internal Security assistant minister Orwa Ojode confirmed an inter ministerial committee appointed by the government had come up with a revised pay structure and that it was awaiting discussion by Cabinet.

“We’ve come up with a salary structure which has to be approved by Cabinet. It is a good package. I know the police officers are going to celebrate the day it is released.”

“The minimum will slightly be above Sh30,000 for the lowest paid officer,” he said.

Insurance cover

The new remuneration will also include an insurance cover for the police officers and their families.

“Insurance is also on the way. We want to pay handsomely families of officers killed while on duty. They will also be treated in our good hospitals like the Nairobi hospital, the Aga Khan and any other hospital,” said Mr Ojode.

The pay raise is part of remedies recommended by Justice Ransley- led task force after carrying out a six-month examination into the ills hampering service delivery to Kenyans.

The report documenting a myriad of problems beleaguering the force and containing 200 proposals was presented to President Kibaki last year.

Mr Ojode was speaking to journalists in Nairobi after opening a workshop in which participants are expected to analyse and propose amendments to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Bill (2010).

The Bill was also proposed by the Justice Ransley team to check police excesses when dealing with the public.

Once enacted, it will allow for the establishment of a Board comprising of civilians, to receive and act on complains levelled by the public against the police.

“Speedy finalisation of this Bill is my top priority in the police reform agenda. We believe that accountability and professionalism will enhance public confidence on our police services,” Mr Ojode told the participants.

Redeployed

He also revealed that police officers seconded to prosecute cases in court would be redeployed to the core duty of enforcing the law.

“A consultant has been engaged to evaluate the current police prosecutors and identify those with the necessary skills, competencies and qualifications,” said the minister.

Those who pass the test will then be transferred to work at the State Law office under the Attorney General.

Justice Ransley’s team had also recommended a freeze on police recruitment to allow for a review of the curriculum, which Mr Ojode said had been finalised.

“We are looking for funds and once the Treasury gives us the money we’ll recruit this year. Through the support of the British and Sweden Governments, international experts have been brought in to work with our local experts to carry out comprehensive training needs assessment and finalise review of the curriculum,” he said.

Police Reform Bill is also to be drafted with the aim of establishing a Police Service Commission, National Policing Council and the Provincial Police Authorities as recommended by the Justice Ransley task force.

A Coroner’s Bill is also in line and aims at relieving the police of carrying inquests into unexplained, sudden and mysterious deaths.

“It seeks to establish a national coroners service to relieve the police of the responsibility of handling the dead,” the minister said.