Police officers who exhaust their yearly benefits but still need medical services will now be required to make ex gratia claims through a committee constituted by the Inspector General.
This is according to Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho who also revealed that the Government has set aside Sh200 million to offset hospital bills for the said police officers.
However, this will only apply to those officers who have exhausted their annual National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) cover limits.
Kibicho further said the funds will be released once NHIF submits the list of eligible officers in the 2020/2021 financial year.
“Under the arrangement, police officers who exhaust their yearly benefits but still need medical services are required to make ex gratia claims through a committee constituted by the Inspector General,” a statement from the ministry clarified.
Kibicho made the remarks when he was appearing before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee to respond to concerns flagged by the Office of the Auditor General Office.
The PS took the opportunity to acknowledge delays in settling compensation claims to officers for injuries and accidental death in the line of duty.
He attributed the delays to the process of reviewing and authenticating the claims by the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services.
NHIF is expected to release a list of eligible officers who meet the requirements for the initiative, in the 2020/21 financial year, after which the funds will be released to the specific officers.
Kibicho also added that the government has put in place mechanisms to fasten passport processing from three months to 14 days.