Police, prison officers to join SHA scheme

Kenya Prison Service /FILE

Officers serving in the National Police Service and the Kenya Prison Service will transition to a new government-managed health insurance scheme starting April 1, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has said.

The move will see the officers shift from private health providers to the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund administered by the Social Health Authority (SHA), significantly expanding their access to healthcare facilities across the country.

Murkomen said the government has already put in place systems to ensure the transition is smooth for the officers and their families.

“We have put in place robust measures to ensure a seamless transition of the National Police Service and the Kenya Prison Service from private health providers to the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund administered by SHA,” Murkomen said.

He said the change will greatly improve healthcare access for officers who previously depended on a smaller network of hospitals.

“The switch, scheduled for April 1, will be of great benefit to our officers, improving their access to quality healthcare from the previous 800 hospitals to 6,000 public, private and faith-based facilities across the country,” the CS said.

Murkomen said he received an update on the preparedness of the transition from SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi and the Principal Administrative Secretary and Accounting Officer in the National Police Service  Bernice Sialaal.

The new scheme is part of broader government efforts to improve the welfare of officers in the country’s security services, a sector that has recently received increased attention from the administration.

Earlier, President William Ruto announced a new salary increment for officers serving in the Kenya Prison Service, saying the third phase of the adjustment will take effect on July 1.

Speaking during the 46th Passing Out Parade of 3,862 recruits at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru, Kiambu county, the President said the salary review was aimed at improving the welfare and morale of correctional officers.

“Following the implementation of Phase I and Phase II, the entry pay for a prison constable has risen by 36 per cent while the maximum point of the salary scale has grown by 24 per cent. Phase III will take effect from July 1,” Ruto said.

He said the well-being of officers in correctional facilities is central to maintaining national security and stability.

“It is on this enabler of peace and security where you, as prison officers, play a critical and indispensable role by ensuring the safe, humane and secure custody of offenders, maintaining order within correctional facilities,” the President said.

Ruto also highlighted broader reforms within the correctional services sector, including plans to fast-track the Correctional Services Bill and Policy, which is expected to be submitted to Cabinet by April.

The President said officers are being incorporated into the national health insurance framework under the Social Health Authority to strengthen healthcare access across the service.

In addition to welfare reforms, he said the Kenya Prison Service has also been supporting the government’s environmental agenda, including the national programme to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.

“In support of the target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, the service has already planted over 6.8 million trees, with an additional 1.87 million mature seedlings ready for transplanting in 76 departmental tree nurseries,” Ruto said.

The reforms, according to government officials, are part of a wider effort to improve working conditions for security officers while ensuring they have better access to healthcare and social protection services.