Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has challenged police officers to improve service delivery, warning that ongoing reforms leave no excuse for poor performance.
Speaking on Thursday during the launch of the Usalama Cover, which formally onboards officers from the National Police Service and the Kenya Prison Service onto the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund under the Social Health Authority, Murkomen said the government has significantly improved officers’ welfare and now expects professionalism in return.
“After we have done all these things… what then stops us from delivering better services to the people of Kenya?” he posed, relaying a question from President William Ruto. “It is important for us to reciprocate… by ensuring that the services we offer are better, modern, best, with more better morale.”
Murkomen emphasized that officers must abandon corruption, noting, “We are not asking anybody for a bribe, because Kenyans are paying taxes for us to serve them.”
The CS described the new health cover as a major shift, expanding access from about 800 facilities to over 6,000 public, private and faith-based hospitals nationwide.
He assured officers that the scheme offers enhanced benefits tailored to their needs, including advanced surgeries, emergency care, overseas treatment and last expense support.
“You will access all facilities in Kenya… there will be no discrimination,” he said, dismissing claims that the cover is limited to public hospitals.
Murkomen added that the reforms go beyond healthcare, forming part of a broader government agenda to restore morale and operational efficiency in the disciplined services.
He cited ongoing salary increments, noting that entry-level constables’ pay will rise by Sh10,000 by July 2026, alongside promotions for long-serving officers.
The government is also scaling up recruitment, with over 10,000 police recruits currently in training and nearly 4,000 prison officers recently graduating.
Housing projects targeting over 45,000 units for police and prison staff are underway, while modernization efforts include the rollout of an advanced command and surveillance system with artificial intelligence capabilities.
On accountability, Murkomen issued a stern warning against misuse of healthcare funds. “Anyone attempting to steal public money meant for health care for officers will be arrested and subjected to the full force of the law,” he said.
He maintained that the reforms reflect a government committed to the welfare of security officers, but stressed that improved conditions must translate into better service delivery to Kenyans.