Kenya has established new security measures by upgrading the Integrated Command, Control, and Communication Center (IC3) to the more advanced IC4 platform to enhance SHA officer services.
The National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) transitioned to the Social Health Authority (SHA) framework on April 2.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated during the onboarding that the transition was a step towards addressing the needs of officers serving in the country.
Speaking at Avenue Hospital in Nairobi, the CS added that the implementation would include continued care for officers currently hospitalized.
“The transition to the SHA framework is part of the broader security sector reforms aimed at improving the welfare of officers and their dependents. The implementation has been carefully structured to ensure continuity of care, including for those currently admitted in hospitals,” the CS stated.
According to Murkomen, the new scheme is more comprehensive with medical covers such as the last expense benefits for officers and their dependents.
In addition, the number of healthcare facilities accessible under the scheme has increased from 600 under the previous arrangement to over 8000 facilities nationwide.
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SHA Package Benefits for the Officers
Under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF) SHA framework, officers and their families will benefit from an expanded package covering outpatient and inpatient services, dental and optical care, emergency services, specialized treatment, and annual medical check-ups.
In addition to the package cover, officers will also receive provisions for overseas treatment without exclusions, access to emergency and critical care, and an expanded list of eligible dependants.
The officers’ health care coverage package will also include In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Overseas Treatment, and a structured Ex-Gratia Framework.
Murkomen also explained that the Last Expense Benefit will ensure that the families of all officers under the cover will receive immediate support in case of the death of the officers.
To guard against instability during the transition, the CS warned that rogue healthcare providers and corrupt officers would be arrested.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) will work closely with SHA to investigate any fraudulent claims.
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Murkomen on the Developments
Addressing the issue of how the police will deal with the changing security environment, the CS noted that more than 10,000 police constables are currently undergoing training, and nearly 4,000 prison officers recently completed training and graduated.
Constables and Corporals above 50 years who have served in the same rank for more than 10 years, following the recommendations of the Jukwaa la Usalama initiative, have been promoted according to the CS.
In addition to training the officers, the government has planned to o build 30,000 housing units for officers over the next few years.
Regarding modernization and accountability, the government is upgrading the Integrated Command, Control, and Communication Center (IC3) to a more advanced IC4 platform.
The modernization will involve the incorporation of high-performance computing capabilities and artificial intelligence-driven data analytics.
The IC4 platform will enable officers to detect and respond to security threats in real time.
“We are enhancing the Integrated Command, Control, and Communication Center (IC3) into a more advanced IC4 platform by incorporating high-performance computing capabilities and artificial intelligence-driven data analytics. This next phase will strengthen our ability to predict, detect, and respond to security threats in real time,” Murkomen stated.
To further the security network, Murkomen stated that, in addition to the central command center, digital operations hubs and CCTV surveillance will be rolled out across six major towns in Kenya, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, and Nyeri.
All police stations will be equipped with modern ICT infrastructure, including CCTV systems, to enhance operational efficiency, accountability, and transparency in service delivery, according to Murkomen.
