President William Ruto’s government has highlighted some of its interventions made to promote the welfare of police officers in the country, including salary reviews, affordable housing, and promotions.
On his first day in office, President Ruto fulfilled his manifesto promise to give the National Police Service financial independence by signing an executive order transferring the accounting role to the Service.
The executive order designated the Inspector General as the Accounting Officer.
“As I address you, I have instructed that the instruments conferring financial autonomy to the National Police Service by transferring their budget from the Office of the President and designating the Inspector General as the accounting officer be placed on my desk for signature this afternoon,” Ruto said in his inauguration speech on September 13, 2022.
Later in his tenure, President Ruto established a task force led by former Chief Justice David Maraga to recommend reforms needed in the service.
After a review of the challenges and gaps in the National Police Service, the Maraga Report recommended, among others, salary reviews for officers of Kenya’s disciplined forces.
The Maraga report also proposed the National Police Service Veterans and Fallen Heroes Bill, a legislation aimed at addressing welfare commitments made in the manifesto. If passed into law, the Bill will provide a framework to formally recognise the contributions of retired officers and address the welfare needs of the families of those who have fallen in the line of duty.
Maraga report delivers pay rise for police officers
Subsequently, the report secured salary increments for personnel in the Kenya Police Service, the Kenya Prisons Service, and the National Youth Service (NYS).
Under the proposed pay raise, police officers serving in the lowest cadre, a constable, will now earn a maximum of Ksh57,700, up from Ksh38,975, representing a 48 per cent increase.
A similar cap has been implemented for their equivalent officer in the Kenya Prisons Service. Constables graduating from various police training colleges will now get a starting salary of Ksh 29,296, up from Ksh 20,390 earned by their colleagues before July 2024.
“This represents a salary raise of 44 per cent,” the ministry stated.
Further, the NYS officers in the lowest cadre will get a minimum of Ksh 26,222 and a maximum of Ksh 37,912.
Before the implementation of the new salary policy, the officers earned a minimum of KSh 19,800 and a maximum of KSh 32,315.
Promotions for Police Officers
In December 2025, Ruto announced the promotion of police officers serving at the rank of constable and aged 50 and above, with the promotions set to take effect in June 2026.
The initiative aimed to honor officers approaching retirement for their years of dedicated service.
Ruto also noted that new guidelines have been established to streamline promotions across other police ranks.
Also Read: Govt Releases Official Timeline for Police Officers and NYS Salary Increments
Ruto Improves Living Conditions for Police Officers
Living conditions for police officers have also improved, with the government building over 47,000 housing units for security personnel under the affordable housing programme.
The security sector now represents the largest institutional housing initiative within the programme, with 165 projects nationwide set to deliver 47,464 units.
Of these, 2,092 units have been completed, 9,555 are under construction, and 24,720 are at the procurement stage.
Other major police housing projects are underway at the GSU Headquarters in Ruaraka, the Kiganjo Training School, and the GSU Training School in Embakasi, among other areas.
Under the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) affordable housing programme, developments are ongoing in Kahawa, Embakasi, Langata, Moi Airbase, Lanet, Gilgil, Nanyuki, and Mariakani military camps.
Also Read: Govt to Deliver 47,000 Units for Kenya Police and KDF Officers
Operation Maliza Uhalifu Yields 798 Firearms and 21,724 Recovered Cattle
As part of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s broader commitment to combat cattle rustling in the North Rift, the Ministry of Interior started the Operation Maliza Uhalifu, which has made major strides in combating crime and insecurity.
So far, the government has recovered 798 illegal firearms and 4,273 rounds of ammunition. In addition, more than 286 persons have been arrested, and 21,724 cattle recovered from raids.
These efforts directly address the livestock-raiding economy that has historically driven cycles of violence in pastoral communities.
In Laikipia, Baragoi, and Samburu, residents have reported tangible improvements in security.
Further, in Baragoi, the presence of specialized forces has replaced constant gunfire with the ability to move safely at night.
In Samburu, intercommunal cattle raids have declined, and local leaders note a shift from incitement to dialogue.
