President William Ruto has announced that police officers will start accessing health insurance cover before the end of this month.
Speaking when he presided over the pass out parade of police trainees in Nyeri on Tuesday, Ruto said the cover will guarantee accessible and quality healthcare to officers and their families.
“My government will provide a comprehensive insurance cover effective this month available to members of the police and prison service together with their families,” Ruto said.
The President noted that two fully equipped National Police Service hospitals are complete and will soon be ready to serve members of the service.
“This will ensure police finally have access to priority and appropriate facilities for physical and mental wellness,” he said.
The Border Police Hospital in Kanyonyo will be commissioned in March.
The facility will also offer counselling services to the police officers.
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In 2020, the Administration Police Service started building its 160-bed hospital to cater for its personnel.
The service used a welfare fund collected for almost a year to kick-start the hospital project
At the same time, President Ruto has said his government is committed to improving working conditions in Kenya’s police force.
He promised that his government will be firm in establishing efficient structures that will allow the men and women who protect the nation to serve with ease.
Ruto said the Police Services Reforms Taskforce, which is tasked with improving the working conditions of police officers will provide a framework of bettering police welfare.
“We have also delivered on our commitment to our gallant men and women serving in the police service by establishing the Police and Prisons Services Reforms Task Force, to look into a range of issues affecting service delivery, including the terms and conditions of service of the officers,” said Ruto.
“Through the transfer of the police budget from the Office of the President to that of the Inspector-General, the service acquired the independence necessary to uphold efficiency, professionalism and accountability in addressing various security challenges,” he noted.
“We have prioritized the provision of spacious, comfortable, safe, secure and affordable housing for police officers in our affordable housing programme.”
Some 2,881 new officers graduated after finishing the 9-month training course.
