By Joshua Cheloti

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has challenged the government to increase the salaries that police officers earn at the end of every month.

According to Olekina, the current salaries the officers get are too low and amount to them being enslaved.

In a tweet on March 22, 2023, the Senate minority whip further said a police officer should get a minimum of Ksh180,000 every month.

“Their salaries must also be increased. Stop enslaving our police. In fact, the Kenya police should be paid a minimum of Ksh 180,000,” the vocal Senator said.

According to recent data from the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), the lowest-ranking officer – a police constable – earns Ksh20,230 monthly.

The NPSC has however called for an increase of the salary to Ksh36,450.

It made the request in a memorandum that was presented before a task force that President William Ruto formed to look into the welfare of police officers.

Former Chief Justice David Maraga is the chairperson of the task force.

But even as the task force reviews police welfare, the Narok Senator has also called for the return of medical insurance of the officers to the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

The police service commission early this year commissioned a consortium of insurers that will be handling the medical bills of the officers.

The consortium of medical providers is led by private insurance companies CIC, Old Mutual, and Britam.

“In the medical cover, police and prison officers will among other benefits have access to dental health that includes cleaning, filling, extraction operating cost and a root canal,” NPSC said in a statement issued in January 2023.

However, according to Olekina, police medical issues will be best-taken care of by NHIF – a government corporation that provides medical coverage to Kenyans.

“Kenya Police Medical insurance cover must be retuned to NHIF with full benefits. Stop this business of CIC and asking the police to co-pay for medical,” noted the Senator in a tweet.