What You Need to Know
The National Police Service and Kenya Prisons Service have transitioned their medical scheme to the Social Health Authority framework, enhancing welfare for officers and their families. This new scheme offers comprehensive medical benefits, including expanded healthcare access and provisions for overseas treatment, aiming to improve the overall morale and efficiency within the security sector.
Africa-Press – Kenya. The National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) medical scheme has transitioned to the Social Health Authority (SHA) framework, in a move officials described as a game-changer.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and his Health counterpart Aden Duale presided over the event in Nairobi and said the transition marks a major step in addressing the welfare needs of officers.
“The transition to the SHA framework is part of the broader security sector reforms aimed at improving the welfare of officers and their dependants. The implementation has been carefully structured to ensure continuity of care, including for those currently admitted in hospitals,” said Murkomen during the onboarding at Avenue Hospital, Nairobi.
He said the transition introduces improved benefits while eliminating inefficiencies associated with redundant insurance covers, thereby reducing wasteful premium expenditures.
“The new scheme provides a more comprehensive and sustainable medical cover, including last expense benefits for officers and their dependants,” the CS said.
Under the SHA framework, officers and their families will benefit from an expanded package covering outpatient and inpatient services, dental and optical care, emergency services, specialised treatment, and annual medical check-ups.
The scheme also includes provisions for overseas treatment without exclusions, access to emergency and critical care, and an expanded list of eligible dependants.
The number of healthcare facilities accessible under the scheme has increased from 600 under the previous arrangement to over 8,000 facilities nationwide.
Murkomen welcomed the inclusion of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), overseas treatment, and a structured ex gratia framework, saying the government cares about the well-being of officers’ families.
He said the last expense benefit will ensure families of officers who die in the line of duty receive immediate support.
Murkomen also warned against fraud.
“Anyone attempting to steal public money meant for the healthcare of our officers will be arrested and subjected to the full wrath of the law. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) will work closely with SHA to fool-proof this scheme. All the fraudulent claims will be investigated to their finality and anyone found culpable will be punished,” he said.
He said progress has been made in implementing security sector reforms.
“This SHA onboarding today is part of a much broader reform agenda. The reforms are aimed at restoring morale and operational efficiency across the disciplined services, and are moving on several fronts at once,” he said.
Murkomen said junior officers who have long faced stagnant wages and difficult working conditions have seen improvements, with Phase III of salary adjustments expected to take effect on July 1, 2026.
Phases I and II increments have already raised entry pay for a constable, while job groups across the services are being harmonised.
“We are also expediting reforms in appointment, promotion and transfer of officers to boost morale, strengthen professionalism and enhance operational efficiency. We have promoted all Constables aged above 50 and Corporals who have served in the same rank for more than 10 years, following the recommendations of the Jukwaa la Usalama initiative,” he said.
Murkomen added that the recent recruitment of 10,000 police constables and 4,000 prison officers will improve service delivery.
“Plans are also underway to build 30,000 housing units for officers over the next few years. Decent accommodation is not a luxury, we must treat officers with dignity,” he said.
He said ongoing modernisation of the police service will enhance efficiency and transparency.
“We are enhancing the Integrated Command, Control and Communication Centre (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,” he said.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said they have not received any complaints.
“I believe it will continue to run smoothly going forward. This move has motivated officers to provide better services to the public and the country, knowing they have a government that cares for them. I have nothing but admiration for the plans the government has in place for our officers,” he said.
Duale said any facility found demanding cash from officers for covered services will be cited for breach of contract.
“They will face immediate suspension and will be compelled to issue a full refund,” he said.
The transition to the Social Health Authority framework represents a significant reform in Kenya’s security sector, aimed at improving the welfare of police and prison officers. Historically, these services have faced challenges related to healthcare access and financial inefficiencies, prompting the government to implement changes that enhance support for officers and their dependants. This move is part of broader efforts to modernize the police and prison services, ensuring better working conditions and healthcare for those serving in these critical roles.
