President William Ruto appoints former Chief Justice David Maraga to chair a 23-member task force to oversee reforms for members of the National Police Service and Kenya Prisons Service.
Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) CEO Carole Kariuki has been named the vice chair of the 18-member committee and three joint secretaries.
One of the key mandates of the team is to review the terms and working conditions of the uniformed officers.
In a gazette notice, the President said the taskforce that will be at the Ministry of Interior and National Administration has 90 days to come up with a Task Force Report and Implementation Matrix.
The members are Moffat Muriithi Kangi, John Ole Moyaki, Ibrahim Jillo Guyo, Richard Kirundi,Elizabeth Mueni, Roseline Odede, Joash Odhiambo Dache, Doreen Muthaura, Albert Mwenda and Terry Chebet Maina.
Others are Hassan Sheikh Mohamed, Capt. (Rtd.) Simiyu Werunga (Dr.), Mutuma Ruteere (Dr.), Anne Ireri, Stephen Kayongo, Jafaar Mohamed, Sammy Chepkwony and Khadija Mire.
Omwanza Ombati, Joy Mdivo Masinde, Rosemary Kamau are the joint secretaries.
Objectives
The task force is mandated to identify the legal, policy, administrative, institutional and operational constraints on effective service delivery by NPS and KPS.
It will also review and recommend improvement of matters relating to welfare of officers in all cadres of the NPS and KPS and all other matters incidental to the optimal service delivery by the NPS and KPS.
The team is at liberty to start receiving views from officers, stakeholders, experts and members of the public as well as written memoranda or information from professional bodies.
Previous recommendations by independent bodies such as Salaries and Remuneration, Commission, National Police Service Commission, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Independent Policing Oversight Authority and any other state organ can be considered.
“In furtherance of the objectives and purpose of the Taskforce, all State entities are directed to afford the Taskforce all necessary support and cooperation” the notice dated December 21 reads.
“ The Taskforce shall, as much as possible, engage relevant nonstate institutions including international and local partners,
community-based organizations, social service entities, and faith-based institutions, among others” states the President.
The task force has also been warned against divulging any information that may discredit the police force.
“Take all steps necessary, to prevent the disclosure of any information that would be injurious to a participant, NPS or KPS”
