President William Ruto with former CJ David Maraga. PHOTO | PSCU |
President William Ruto appointed David Maraga, a former chief justice, to head a taskforce charged with looking into the pay and benefits provided to police officers.
In a special notice published in the gazette on Thursday, December 22, Maraga was named to lead the task team looking into changes to the National Police Service’s (NPS) welfare system.
Carole Kariuki was also appointed as his assistant on the task force.
The goal of the task force is to find the institutional, administrative, and operational problems that make it hard for the National Police Service and the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) to do their jobs well.
Part of the notification said that it was important to “identify and suggest improvements to the NPS and KPS in the areas of law, policy, administration, institutions, and operations in order to improve service delivery.”
Moffat Muriithi Kangi, John Ole Moyaki, Ibrahim Jillo Guyo, Richard Kirundi, Elizabeth Mueni, and Roseline Odede were also chosen as leaders for the task force.
Joash Odhiambo Dache, Doreen Muthaura, Albert Mwenda, Terry Chebet Maina, Hassan Sheikh Mohamed, Capt. (Rtd.) Simiyu Werunga, Mutuma Ruteere, Anne Ireri, Stephen Kayongo, Jafaar Mohamed, Sammy Chepkwony, and Khadija Mire were also named as members of the task force.
Ruto also named Omwanza Ombati, Joy Mdivo, and Rosemary Kamau as joint secretaries to the task committee.
The task group was also asked to look into what other changes could be made to welfare that could improve service delivery.
They were also instructed to investigate the police officers’ housing.
The task team, which is now led by Maraga, was told to send the Head of State a report with their conclusions and a plan for how they would be put into action.
“With effect from the date of this notification, the task force’s tenure will last for 90 days.” Part of the notice said, “The Ministry of Interior and National Administration shall be the task force’s secretariat.”
The task force had the choice, among other things, to conduct open hearings, organise forums, and consult with specialists in many fields as part of their duty.