Sh1.1bn paid out to over 1,200 injured cops, Senate committee told

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More than 1,200 police officers wounded while on duty have received compensation, with the rate of claim payments increasing from 52 per cent to 65 per cent.

Appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, chaired by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, the National Police Service Commission reported that 1,272 compensation claims amounting to more than Sh1.1 billion had been successfully settled as of February 28, 2026.

The commission, led by chief executive officer Peter Leley and chairperson Amani Yuda Komora, informed the committee that the claims had been lodged with the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), now operating as the Social Health Authority (SHA), and had been successfully settled.

The commission reassured the committee that 112 pending claims will be processed once the necessary budgetary allocations are made available.

The CEO noted that the commission remains committed to ensuring that officers injured while serving the country receive the support and compensation they deserve.

“Police officers put their lives at risk daily in service to the nation. Ensuring that those injured in the line of duty are supported and compensated promptly remains a key priority for the commission,” he said.

The commission said a total of 1,954 claims from the 2021-22 financial year had been submitted to the NHIF, but 393 claims are still awaiting resolution.

Of these, 276 involve officers from the Kenya Police Service (NPS), 94 relate to the Administration Police Service (AP), while 23 concern the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

The commission further disclosed that 289 claims had been rejected. According to the commission, most of the pending cases stem from delays in the submission of complete documentation by officers or their dependents.

In some instances, the processing of claims had also been slowed by requirements for additional medical reviews before compensation is approved.

Some insurers demanded that officers undergo a second medical examination, a requirement criticised by chairperson Amani, arguing that the practice is unlawful and undermines the rights of injured officers.

The commission informed the committee that the law recognises the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS) as the final authority for medical assessment, and subjecting officers to a second medical evaluation contravenes the existing law.

“The persistent challenge in the administration of the compensation scheme has been the insurer’s practice of unilaterally referring injured officers for a second medical examination," submitted Dr Amani.

"These re-evaluations are typically conducted by a single doctor appointed by the insurer and have frequently resulted in significantly reduced compensation awards compared to the original assessments made by the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services."

He reiterated, “This current practice not only contravenes the law and the terms of the contract but also places injured officers at a significant disadvantage by arbitrarily reducing the benefits to which they are rightfully entitled.”

Members of the committee expressed concern over the delays and urged authorities to ensure claims are settled promptly whenever officers are injured in the line of duty.

Committee chairperson Fatuma Dullo directed the commission to provide additional documentation to enable lawmakers to compile a detailed report for tabling in the Senate.

Dulo emphasised the need to strengthen systems that support officers’ welfare and recommended the digitalisation of compensation processes to help fast-track the processing and settlement of claims.

“Digitising these processes will enhance efficiency, improve tracking of claims and ultimately ensure that officers receive their compensation without unnecessary delays in future,” she noted.

Komora welcomed the committee’s recommendation, noting that digitisation of the compensation process would improve efficiency, transparency and accountability in the management of officers’ welfare matters.

Also present during the session were vice chairperson Prof Tom Ojienda, senators Julius Murgor, Lelegwe Ltumbesi and Edwin Sifuna.

Busia senator Okiya Omtatah attended the meeting as a friend of the committee.