The Senate has put insurance companies on notice, directing them to clear all verified compensation claims for police officers injured while performing their duties within 14 days, after petitioners appealed for help over persistent delays that have left them in hardship.
Petitioners John Amana, Peter Wang’ombe and Quinto Okumu appeared before the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, explaining that despite sustaining injuries while serving the country, they and many other officers have waited years for payments they are entitled to.
They asked lawmakers to push insurers to release the long-awaited funds, arguing that the wait has worsened the difficulties they face in recovery and supporting their families.
During the Thursday sitting, committee chair Fatuma Dullo issued a firm directive to the consortium of insurance companies covering the police service to settle all processed claims before the next committee hearing.
“We are ordering you to pay the claims, and that is a must. It is not a request, and it must be done before the next meeting. We have given you 14 days to give us the updated list,” Fatuma said.
She questioned how officers who put their lives at risk daily can be left to struggle without support after suffering injuries, pointing out that many depend on low wages and cannot meet medical costs or basic needs when compensation is delayed.
“These officers’ salaries are minimal. They get injured, then sadly, they wait for over five years to be compensated. We must be humane and help them get out of the challenges they are facing,” she added.
Members of the committee faulted the insurance firms for what they described as unjust treatment of officers who serve on the frontline to protect the country.
They stressed that the delays were unacceptable and promised to introduce changes in law to make sure compensation is issued promptly once verified.
Senators also suggested that insurance companies that delay or fail to honour confirmed claims should be barred from future contracts with government agencies.
Representing the insurers, Sylvester Nzioka told the senators that by October 2025, a total of Sh1,075,821,764 had already been paid to injured officers.
Despite this, lawmakers said too many cases remain pending, pointing to suffering families still waiting for support even after the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS) completed processing the claims.
DOSHS records show that 2,114 injury notifications from the National Police Service have been received, including 1,512 from the Kenya Police Service, 494 from the Administration Police Service and 108 from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
Appearing before the committee, Directorate representative Musa Nyandusi explained that although all claims were processed under the Work Injury Benefits Act and forwarded for payment, delays continue due to gaps in enforcement, tedious and expensive claim procedures, court cases, late confirmation of illness caused by work and lack of a special compensation scheme for security officers.
He noted that these issues trap injured officers in long financial and medical struggles despite state approval of their claims.
