CS Kindiki appoints committee to oversee implementation of Maraga Taskforce reforms

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has appointed a National Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of reforms proposed by a taskforce led by former Chief Justice David Maraga.

The reforms are set to be implemented within the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and the National Youth Service (NYS).

PS Omollo named chairman

CS Kindiki’s latest committee will be chaired by the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, Raymond Omollo.

In a gazette notice 11602 dated September 3, 2023, Kindiki says the National Steering Committee shall remain in office for a period of three years.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration has appointed the National Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of reforms in the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and the National Youth Service (hereafter referred to as “National Steering Committee”),” the introductory part of the gazette notice reads.

Committee’s members

The members of the committee will include Principal Secretaries from the National Treasury, State Department for Correctional Services, State Department for Public Service, and Cabinet Affairs.

Additional members of the committee include the Solicitor General, Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner Generals of the Kenya Prisons Service and National Youth Service, as well as the Chairpersons of the National Youth Service Commission and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

Representatives from the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Public Service Commission, Salaries and Remuneration Commission, National Youth Service Council, and the Kenya Law Reform Commission will also form part of the Steering Committee.

The National Steering Committee has been appointed by Interior Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Kithure Kindiki @KindikiKithure to oversee the implementation of reforms proposed by the Maraga Taskforce within the National Police Service @NPSOfficial_KE, Kenya Prisons Service @PrisonsKe,… pic.twitter.com/JRhiWyFIQT

— Ministry of Interior | Kenya (@InteriorKE) September 15, 2024

The committee’s joint secretaries will be from the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration and the State Department for Public Service.

Terms of reference

The terms of reference of the National Steering Committee shall be to coordinate, supervise, and provide technical guidance and facilitation for the implementation of the reforms; adopt a roadmap and strategic framework for implementation of the reforms; oversee technical committees and technical working groups appointed to undertake implementation of the reforms; and facilitate timely funding to support the implementation of the reforms.

The committee shall also ensure that reforms are coordinated with other relevant government agencies, development partners, and private sector interventions by overseeing the implementation of a clear stakeholder engagement strategy.

It will also be required to review, identify quick wins, and prioritise recommendations contained in the National Taskforce Report on Improvement of the Terms and Conditions of Service and other Reforms for Members of the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and National Youth Service for immediate implementation.

Technical committee

This comes just a month after Kindiki appointed a technical committee on review and development of legislative and policy reforms for the National Police Service (NPS) and National Youth Service (NYS).

Kindiki, in a gazette notice dated August 30, 2024, published the names of 13 members and seven joint secretaries that will form the committee.

The committee that will be chaired by Kepha Onyiso, who is the State Counsel in the Attorney General’s office, will, among other things, analyse the policy and legislative reforms as proposed in the Report of the National Taskforce on Improvement of the Terms and Conditions of Service and other Reforms for Members of the NPS and NYS.

Adoption of Maraga report

The formation of the committees follows the government’s adoption of the report by former Chief Justice David Maraga-led taskforce on reviewing the operations within the NPS, NYS, and Kenya Prisons Service.

The reviews are aimed at improving the condition.