The government will set up a benevolent fund for dependents of National Police Service and Prisons Kenya officers who lose their lives in line of duty, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said.
At the same time, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome slammed the civilian oversight body against police, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for criticising police work.
Koome called the authority busybody as and CS Kindiki urged officers to use their firearms to defend citizens.
Interior and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and his Correctional Services counterpart Muthoni Muriuki have ben tasked to spearhead the process to establish the fund.
Kindiki said a team from relevant institutions has already been set up to work out the framework of the fund, which will consolidate benefits for fallen officers.
The team has a 30 days’ deadline to submit a report on how the fund will be structured and implemented.
The CS said the fund is intended to support families that are left behind and who are very needy.
“We realise that for the families of the fallen officers, although there is assurance of payment and other benefits, they struggle to put food on the table,” Kindiki said.
He was speaking at the fourth memorial ceremony for 53 police and four prisons officers who died on duty since November 2021 at Embakasi Administration Police Training College earlier today.
The CS further committed to fast-track last payment, gratuity and pensions of fallen officers.
He said the fund will help most deserving families of fallen police officers get scholarships for children, access to medical services and other emergencies.
Kindiki said the committee will among other things draft regulations and governance structure of the fund.
“That fund will be housed in the Ministry of Interior, so that we help mobilise resources in government and elsewhere.” He added.
The CS further committed to fast-track last payment, gratuity and pensions of fallen officers.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Administration Police Service Noor Gabow said the country has lost a total of 56 officers this year.
30 among the fallen officers were drawn from the Kenya Police Service, 19 were from the Administrations Police Service, while 3 were attached to DCI and 4 served in the Kenya Prison Service.
