The government is seeking a cumulative budget allocation of about Ksh2 billion to support police recruitment and improve officers’ welfare, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has revealed.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Speaking during an interview with various media outlets on Tuesday, May 19, Omollo said the funds will be used to facilitate ongoing salary reviews for police officers, recruit additional personnel and expand housing projects for security officers across the country.

The PS explained that the larger Ksh2 billion plan is expected to address key gaps within the National Police Service (NPS), particularly in recruitment and welfare improvement programmes aimed at enhancing service delivery.

Omollo noted that part of the allocation will support the continued recruitment of police officers as the government moves to bridge the officer-to-population ratio in line with international recommendations.

📌 What You Need to Know

“Cumulatively, we’re looking at a budget of around Ksh2 billion,” he revealed.

At the same time, the Interior PS dismissed claims that the ongoing police recruitment exercise is politically motivated ahead of the 2027 General Election, insisting the programme is solely intended to strengthen national security and improve public service.

He further pointed out that recruitment within the police service is a continuous process due to natural attrition caused by retirements and other exits from the force.

“Internationally, we have the recommendation of one officer to 400 citizens. When we came in, the ratio was 1:500. So there’s been a need for us to bridge that gap, and that necessitated us to recruit the numbers we did last year, around 10,000 officers,” Omollo explained.

“Over time, there’s the issue of attrition. This is not about next year’s elections, it’s about service to mwananchi,” he added.

Last year, Kenya recruited a total of 10,000 police officers following a three-year hiatus due to budgetary constraints.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke