More than Sh1.1 billion has been paid to police officers injured while on duty, but hundreds of compensation claims are yet to be resolved, Senators were told on Thursday during a session of the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations.
Officials from the National Police Service Commission informed the committee on Thursday that over 1,200 officers have already received payments under the compensation scheme. Even so, the process remains incomplete, with 393 claims still pending and 289 rejected.
The Commission reported that the rate of claim settlement has improved, rising from 52 per cent to 65 per cent.
Data shared with the committee indicated that the Kenya Police Service accounts for the largest number of pending cases at 276. The Administration Police Service has 94 unresolved claims, while 23 cases are linked to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The Commission explained that most of the pending cases are still awaiting full documentation from officers or their dependents, which has slowed the final processing of claims.
Chief Executive Officer Peter Leley and Chairperson Amani Yuda Komora told Senators that by February 28, 2026, a total of 1,954 claims tied to the 2021/2022 financial year had been submitted to the National Hospital Insurance Fund, which now operates as the Social Health Authority.
Out of these applications, more than 1,200 have already been settled, with total compensation exceeding Sh1.1 billion.
Amani said one of the major difficulties affecting the scheme is the insurer’s decision to send injured officers for additional medical examinations, which in many cases results in lower compensation.
“The persistent challenge in the administration of the compensation scheme has been the insurer’s practice of unilaterally referring injured officers for a second medical examination. These re-evaluations are typically conducted by a single doctor appointed by the insurer and have frequently resulted in significantly reduced compensation awards compared to the original assessments made by the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services,” Amani said.
He added that the approach contradicts legal provisions and the terms agreed in the contract.
He further stated that the process “places injured officers at a significant disadvantage by arbitrarily reducing the benefits to which they are rightfully entitled.”
Members of the committee expressed concern over the time taken to conclude some of the cases and urged the Commission to ensure faster settlement of claims.
Committee Chairperson Fatuma Dullo asked the Commission to provide more detailed information to allow the committee to compile a full report that will later be presented to the Senate.
She also urged the Commission to strengthen systems meant to support injured officers and suggested the introduction of digital processes to improve the management of compensation claims.
“Digitising these processes will enhance efficiency, improve tracking of claims and ultimately ensure that officers receive their compensation without unnecessary delays in future,” she said.
Komora welcomed the suggestion, noting that automation would help improve efficiency, accountability and transparency in the handling of officers’ welfare matters.
The Commission also told the committee that 112 more claims will be processed once the required funds are allocated in the budget.
According to the Commission, clearing these cases is part of a wider plan aimed at addressing long standing claims and strengthening support for officers who sustain injuries while carrying out their duties.
The NPSC maintained that protecting the welfare of officers injured in service remains a key responsibility.
Leley told Senators that the Commission remains focused on ensuring officers injured while safeguarding the country receive prompt support.
“Police officers put their lives at risk daily in service to the nation. Ensuring that those injured in the line of duty are supported and compensated promptly remains a key priority for the Commission,” he said.
