The government will make several major adjustments to protect the wellness and wellbeing of Kenya Police Officers if the proposed National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024 is passed into law.
Read for the first time in parliament, the bill seeks for more care for police officers to help them to execute their tasks better, including the establishment of psychosocial support centers.
Presented by Suna West Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Masara, the bill calls for the provision of measures to support mental wellness and wellbeing of police officers.
Further, the MP asks that the commission develops fair and clear disciplinary procedures for officers in accordance with Article 47 of the Constitution.
“The Bill does not delegate legislative powers, nor does it limit fundamental rights and freedoms.
“The Bill is not a Bill concerning county governments as it does not affect the functions of the county governments. Police services’ is a function of the national government under paragraph 7 of part 1 of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution,” the bill reads in part.
Also Read: Police Officer Beaten Up by Ian Njoroge Breaks Silence
Masara Details Arguments to Support the Bill
Having been read for the first time on the floor of the House, the Bill recognizes that while executing their tasks, police officers work in a potentially confusing roles alternating between law enforcement and public service.
Additionally, the MP indicates that police officers constantly face danger or mortality to ensure the safety of members of the public.
Also, the bill states that police officers are also put in situation where they have to inflict harm on other human beings making the job very stressful compared to other jobs.
Despite these situations, Masara holds that the mental health and wellbeing of the officers has continuously been ignored by stakeholders.
“In some cases, due to the unique challenges of policing they inflict harm on human beings as police work is more stressful than other jobs.
“Numerous studies, including the recent Mental Health Taskforce Report of 2020 have examined the Germane aspect of mental health, but have overlooked the mental health of police officers. The proposed Bill therefore gives the National Police Service Commission various mandates aimed at promotion of the mental health of police officers,” reads the Bill.
Also Read: A Legacy of Distrust: Why Kenyans Remain Wary of the Police
Recent Cases of Police Attacks
Corporal Jacob Ogendo has been a recent victim of police attacks in the country after he was assaulted by Ian Njoroge.
The traffic officer has since broken silence on the incident that was recorded and shared online, refuting claims that he solicited bribe from Ian Njoroge, the attacker, moments before the assault.
“I did not request any money from the motorist,” he said.
Earlier, Njoroge’s mother revealed that the police officer had demanded for Ksh10,000 bribe from her son who couldn’t raise the cash.
Also, she said that Njoroge made his way back home in a rush to bring the car back home before church time.
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