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The National Police Service can only recruit 2,862 Constables officers out of the planned 5,000 recruits due to budget cuts.

Appearing before the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, the acting Inspector General Douglas Kanja said the available funds could only accommodate that number despite the fact that the service had a target of recruiting 5,000.

“The total funding required is Sh5.03 billion against an allocation of Sh2.88 billion reflecting a funding shortfall of Sh2.15 billion. Key expenditure areas include uniform, ammunition, food and rations, stipend for the trainees and utilities,” he said.

The NPS is seeking additional funding of Sh29.78 billion and Sh2.7 billion for recurrent and development, respectively.

The NPS said due to increased presidential movements and other VVIP activities leading to increased coverage costs by the Presidential Escort Unit (PEU) and the General Service Unit Recce and G-Company. As a result, the service is seeking an additional Sh629.6 million for the units.

Kanja said the service was also seeking additional funding for confidential expenditures. The funds are normally used for undercover and intelligence-led investigations, operations and information gathering for covert and overt operations in various parts of the country.

“Confidential expenditure is critical to police operations and a reduction of Sh475.9 million will greatly affect the capacity of the police in detecting and preventing crime countrywide,” he said.

Kanja maintained that the funds would be utilized prudently in an efficient, economical and effective manner to enhance service delivery by the NPS.

Full benefits

The NPS is also seeking Sh11.56 billion for the full provision of medical and group life insurance for both the police and the Kenya Prisons Service. This is to ensure full provision.

Another Sh777.8 million is needed for utilities by the Kenya Police Service due to increased tariffs by Kenya Power and an additional 702 gazetted police stations and 94 newly created sub-county headquarters which have utility bills to settle.

The NPS also said there is increased security operations countrywide that have led to a need for additional funding. As a result, the police service needs an additional Sh2.24 billion. “There is also a need for additional funding for issuance of AIEs to newly gazetted police stations,” he added.

There are 7101 Administration police service officers at various border units and another 9000 GSU field officers who operate in the country’s security hotspot areas

Another Sh1 billion is needed for stipend allowance, training expenses, rifles and ammunition, arms accessories and uniform kit for the National Police Reserve.