The National Police Service (NPS) has revised downwards Ksh1.4 billion that had been overestimated under personnel emoluments in its budget.

NPS Accounting Officer Bernice Lemedeket, while appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on Thursday, March 12, 2026, explained that the adjustment was necessary to align the budget with the current number of officers in service.

Lemedeket explained that the discrepancy arose due to staff exits within the service and delays in recruiting uniformed officers, which reduced the projected wage bill.

However, members of the committee, chaired by Gabriel Tongoyo, raised concerns over frequent adjustment of predictable expenditures such as salaries, arguing that such obligations should be accurately projected during the budget formulation process.

Committee cautioned

The committee cautioned government agencies against the misuse of Article 223 of the Constitution, warning that some expenditures introduced through the provision do not qualify as emergencies.

“The Committee also warned against the misuse of Article 223 of the Constitution, noting that some expenditures being introduced through the provision were not emergency in nature,” part of the Parliament of Kenya statement read.

The lawmakers noted that in several instances additional funding had been proposed without corresponding adjustments to programme targets, raising concerns about the link between increased allocations and expected service delivery outcomes.

“The Committee further observed that, in several instances, additional funding had been proposed without a corresponding review of programme targets, raising concerns about the link between resource allocation and expected service delivery outcomes,” part of the Parliament of Kenya statement read.

Equipping Police Stations

During the session, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja emphasised the need to equip police stations with vehicles to enhance their response to emergencies.

“On his part, the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, emphasised the need to equip police stations with vehicles to help them respond to emergencies promptly,” the statement added.

The commission, in its brief, confirmed that it had issued guidelines on an additional salary increment for the National Police Service.

However, it noted that it was upon the National Treasury to effect the increment in line with the Maraga Task Force Report, which recommended improving the welfare of police officers.

According to their document, NPSC also sought additional expenditure to cover the purchase of motor vehicles amounting to Ksh30 million.

However, the Committee raised concerns that such purchases towards the tail end of the financial year may not be tenable, noting that procurement delays could affect the process.