The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has submitted a detailed report to the Senate outlining the status of compensation claims for police officers injured in the line of duty, revealing that hundreds of cases remain pending despite billions of shillings already paid out.
In a letter dated 4th March, 2026 addressed the Senate in reply of the query by the senate concerning a petition on compensation of police officers injured in the line of duty.
When appearing before the Senator Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo) Senate Led-Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Peter Leley, told the senators that a total of 1,954 claims relating to the 2021/2022 financial year had been lodged with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), now operating as the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Leley said that out of these, 1,272 claims amounting to Sh1.112 billion have been paid. However, 393 claims remain pending across the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service and Directorate of Criminal Investigations, while 289 claims worth Sh403.9 million were declined.
Leley attributes most delays to incomplete documentation and second medical evaluations.
“Most delays in payment of pending claims is occasioned by delays in submission of full documentation by officers /their dependants and the need for a second medical opinion before the claims are processed.”
The Commission raised concerns over what it termed as a structural disconnect in the administration of the compensation scheme.
‘’A critical institutional challenge affecting the effective administration of the compensation scheme arises from the manner in which the insurance contract was executed.” Leley said.
According to the commission, the current contract was entered into by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Interior, on behalf of the National Police Service. However, the Commission argues that under Article 246 of the Constitution, matters relating to officer welfare and compensation fall under its mandate.
Leley told the senators that, ‘’Due to this misalignment, the Commission lacks direct contractual privily with the insurer. Consequently, it has li1uited capacity to enforce the terms of the contract, old the insurer accountable, or compel performance from the underwriter, SHA.”
He added that, “The Commission is treated as a third party under the current contractual framework, despite its constitutional mandate over human resource and welfare matters within the National Police Service.”
The Commission also criticised the insurer’s practice of subjecting injured officers to additional medical examinations saying, ‘’A persistent challenge in the administration of the compensation scheme has been the insurer’s practice of unilaterally referring injured officers to a second medical examination.”
The commission in its report noted that the initial assessment conducted by the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS) is the legally recognised process under the Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA), 2007.
The submission states, “The insurer’s unilateral decision to subject officers to an alternate evaluation outside this established legal framework lacks procedural legitimacy and undennines the credibility of the statutory process.”
The Commission maintains that disputes over assessments should follow lawful appeal mechanisms rather than independent reassessments appealing to the Senate Committee for intervention to fast-track settlement of outstanding claims.
‘’The Commission remains committed to upholding the welfare of police officers and ensuring timely and lawful compensation for injuries sustained in the line of duty.”
Busia Senator Andrew Omtatah, “Some of the injuries have changed the lives of these officers. I pray that this matter be heard as a matter of urgency and that we make good use of this committee to address the difficult circumstances surrounding them.”Leley sent an appeal to the committee “We are making good progress, but we need to fast-track the process. Resources are meagre, but we have submitted our budget policy statements for the subsequent budget.”
Senator Fatuma Dullo urged the commission to hit the ground running, “The commission now has new commissioners and you must sweep through these issues. The increment of salaries, we hope, will serve as good motivation, and we give you two weeks to submit your reviews before the adoption of the report by the House.”
