Maraga gives President Ruto 7 days to publish police reforms report, or else...

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has given President William Ruto a seven-day ultimatum to publish the National Taskforce on Police Reforms report, which contains recommendations aimed at restoring the independence of the National Police Service (NPS).

In a letter addressed to the President on Tuesday, Maraga questioned why the government had failed to act on the recommendations more than two years after the taskforce submitted its report on November 16, 2023.

Maraga cited chaos witnessed during political events in Homa Bay, Keumbu and Ol Kalou, as well as violence reported at churches in Kisumu, Nairobi and Witima, among other incidents, as evidence of what he described as the deteriorating state of policing under Ruto's administration.

“This is a road the country has travelled before at terrible cost. It must not travel it again. This, in my view, is all a result of the state capture of the National Police Service,” Maraga's letter read in part.

Maraga warned that he would make the taskforce report public if the President fails to release it within seven days.

“In the circumstances, and in view of the fact that the report was secured at public expense and in line with Article 35 of the Constitution, I demand that you immediately release and publish the complete and unedited Taskforce Report within seven days, failing which I will myself release it,” Maraga stated.

In December 2022, President Ruto appointed Maraga to chair a 23-member taskforce mandated to review and improve the welfare of personnel in the National Police Service and Kenya Prisons Service.

The taskforce's report highlighted several challenges within the security sector, including political interference in the police service, corruption in recruitment and promotions, gaps in the police training curriculum and an inadequately resourced National Police Service Commission.

Among its recommendations was a 40 per cent salary increase for police officers, to be implemented in phases over three years to reflect the cost of living and risks associated with police work.

The taskforce also recommended reclassifying the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service and National Youth Service under a distinct security sector framework to guide their remuneration and terms of service.

On housing and healthcare, the taskforce recommended upgrading institutional housing and enhancing medical insurance coverage for all uniformed personnel.