Deputy President Rigathi Gachgua on Sunday, November 6, assured police officers that the government is committed to delivering its promise to review the welfare of the National Police Service (NPS) officers.
Speaking during a joint thanksgiving service of the disciplined forces at the Holy Family Basilica, the DP revealed that a task force was being assembled to spearhead the process and would soon be unveiled.
“In the next two weeks, President William Ruto will unveil a task force which will review your terms of service and conditions. That task force will follow the bottom-up approach,” Gachagua declared.
The DP added that the team will organise forums for receiving submissions from the police officers as well as the citizens before making final proposals to the president.
“At the end of it all, we will have recommendations of what is good for our officers; to uphold their dignity; pay them well; give them decent accommodation and allow them to work professionally,” Gachagua assured.
He added that the task force will also take into consideration ways to improve the allowances of the members of the disciplined forces, their medical insurance and uniforms.
Gachagua explained that the working conditions were among the contributing factors that drove some of the members of the disciplined forces to suicide.
He asked the officers to bare with him and the president, given that the 100-day time frame had not yet lapsed since the pair was sworn into office on September 13.
“Do not hurry us. Don’t count the 100 days from the day we were elected. Start counting from September 13 when President William Ruto was sworn in. Those days have not expired, they will expire on December 24,” Gachagua remarked.
The DP lauded Deputy Inspector General Edward Mbugua for his exemplary service in the police force and promised him a respectful send-off when he retires from the service.
Rigathi was accompanied by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, who reiterated that the welfare of the officers and that of their families will be guaranteed during his tenure.
He also called for the disciplined forces to step up in the execution of their mandate to restore security in the country. Kindiki maintained that the ministry will not shy away from going after criminals.
“We are committed to implementing the directives given by the President and those who want to test how far we can go, note that we will not rest until our mandate is fully fulfilled,” the CS affirmed.
