A Benevolent Fund for police and prison officers who die in the line of duty will be set up within 30 days to enhance the benefits left behind to families and dependents.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the benevolent fund that will be disbursed on an ex-gratia basis will improve life insurance, death gratuity, last expense payment and injury compensation.
“The Benevolent Fund will raise money to support families that are left behind in terms of accessing modest scholarships for the children, and medical attention for those who are left behind as dependents, and other forms of emergencies in education, health.”
Speaking at the Kenya Police Embakasi ATraining College during the memorial of 57 police and prison officers who have fallen on duty since November last year, Kindiki directed the relevant Ministry departments to urgently convene a core team to draw the framework for establishing and administering the Fund.
The committee which will also include representatives from the office of the Inspector General of Police, the National Police Service Commission and the Kenya Prison Services, is expected to submit its report within 30 days.
Kindiki said the Fund and its operational framework will be entrenched through the report of the presidential task force that will be unveiled soon to review the terms and conditions of service for police and prison officers.
“That report will include how that fund will operate, the governance structure so that we help in mobilizing resources from the government and elsewhere from among our partners.”
The CS further said the Government will progressively increase the amounts payable as benefits to the surviving families of the fallen officers and will expedite the processing of outstanding claims.
“We will ensure that all the relevant dues and settlements including payments for the last expense, gratuity and pension where applicable are processed and released immediately.”
The government will also consider for recruitment of at least one eligible member of the bereaved family whenever opportunities in the National Police Service and Kenya Prison Service arise.
Six widows and three orphans of departed officers recruited this year under this policy are set to graduate in January.
The CS said the government will also prioritise the acquisition of modern equipment including protective gear and armoured land, air and sea transport facilities to minimise exposure to the risk of officers.
“The protective equipment of our officers, the sophistication of our arms, and armoured land and air transport will ensure that going forward as we confront the enemy, we minimize the casualties on our side.”
He said three specialized hospitals for officers: National Police Service Hospital, Mbagathi; the Kenya Prison Service Hospital in Ruiru, and the Border Police Hospital in Kanyonyo have been equipped and staffed and will be opened early next year. The facilities will also provide counselling and trauma therapy for officers
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome who was present urged security officers to use their weapons within the law to protect themselves and the lives and property of wananchi.
“The weapon you have is not a decoration or a pen to write with. We don’t want to hear that you have been harmed or killed by a criminal when you have your gun. Use it as the law demands, and we will stand by you all the way,” Koome said.
The memorial was also attended by Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo, his Correctional Services counterpart, Mary Muthoni, Deputy Inspector Generals Noor Gabow and Edward Mbugua, Commissioner General of Prisons Brig John Warioba, and the Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin.
