Launch remarks · 13 December 2024
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to be with you as we launch the National Police Service Strategic Plan 2023-2027. This is because we have before us a blueprint which not only reaffirms our steadfast commitment to the safety and security of citizens and their property but also establishes a robust framework for developing a modern, efficient, and responsive police service.
Anchored in this Strategic Plan is a bold and clear step towards creating a secure environment where every Kenyan can thrive.
National security, public order and the safety of every citizen are the underlying enablers of all economic endeavour. I am therefore pleased to note that this Plan is firmly rooted in Article 243 of the Constitution and the National Police Service Act of 2011 and is dedicated to fostering a people-centric, servicedriven public order and national security system that aligns with our broader national development frameworks. With this strategic plan, the National Police Service is positioned to develop the robust capacity to effectively address current and emerging security challenges, ensuring that Kenya remains a stable, prosperous and safe nation and that our economy is conducive to sustainable growth.
The 2023-2027 Strategic Plan outlines eight key goals that are integral to transforming the National Police Service and aligning it with the broader national security agenda. First, our investments in infrastructure, equipment, and capacity are aimed at significantly enhancing service delivery.
This is the context in which we must understand the value of projects like the deployment of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles in regions such as the North Rift, North-Eastern, and Upper Eastern; the operationalisation of NPS hospitals in Kanyonyoo and Mbagathi; the completion of the DCI National Forensic Laboratory; and the establishment of the National Police Leadership Academy. These initiatives demonstrate our dedication to modernising the Service. Additionally, the establishment of the Integrated Communication, Command, and Control Centre (IC3) will improve operational efficiency and coordination.
Alongside these hardware improvements, we are prioritising the welfare of our police officers. A significant component of our national policing reform framework is the implementation of 271 actionable recommendations from the Maraga Taskforce Report. These timely, ambitious, and wide-ranging reforms include enhancements to terms of service, working conditions, human capital development, and institutional frameworks to ensure our officers are well-equipped, continuously trained, motivated, and supported to perform their duties with professionalism and dedication in a dynamic operational environment.
I commend the NPS for placing technology at the core of this Strategic Plan. In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, many offences and security threats are enabled by digital technology, and the ability to detect, disrupt, deter, and investigate these threats depends on our capacity to operate effectively in a high-tech environment.
By integrating ICT into surveillance, investigations, and crime deterrence, utilising technologies such as drones for border security, enhancing the Directorate of Criminal Investigation’s cybersecurity capabilities, and bolstering the IC3 under the Inspector-General’s Office, we are taking decisive action to ensure the NPS stays ahead of emerging threats.
It is equally important to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and accountability. I am therefore pleased that this strategy identifies the strengthening of oversight mechanisms, such as the Internal Affairs Unit, and collaboration with agencies like the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Commission for Administrative Justice, as viable mechanisms for combating corruption, upholding human rights, and maintaining public trust.
Additionally, this strategy leverages our commitment to the operational and financial autonomy of the NPS as critical enablers of effective policing. With the operational budget now directly managed by the Inspector-General, the NPS has the financial independence necessary to utilise resources efficiently, enhance service delivery and maintain operational flexibility.
It is important to note that the launch of this Strategic Plan is not an end in itself. Instead, it marks the beginning of concerted efforts that must be undertaken consistently and with exceptional focus to achieve results. A strategy that fails to execute its mission or achieve its vision is an organisational failure, a professional misdirection, and a wasteful error.
Therefore, this Strategic Plan is a call to action to begin the journey of transforming the National Police Service into a trusted, professional, and efficient institution in order to achieve our collective vision for a safer Kenya, position our national security system as a guarantor of progress, and prioritise professional service to every citizen.
The reforms proposed in the Maraga Taskforce Report, which have been adopted by the security services concerned, also extend to the Kenya Prison Service. Consequently, the construction of 28,000 housing units in the prison service will commence immediately.
In addition, the prison service will begin leasing 3,000 acres of its arable land that is lying fallow in many of the prisons. This will increase food production and thus enable the service to wean itself off of total dependence on the Exchequer.
To further improve transport and service provision, the State Department for Correctional Services will begin a vehicle leasing programme for the Kenya Prison Service fleet.
Now that we have launched this National Police Service Strategic Plan, what do we want to see moving forward? As you reflect on this question, remember that our national policing and security framework is constitutionally mandated to ensure safety and prosperity without undermining rights and freedoms. We aspire to remain a secure democracy, which means you must perform your duties in a manner that promotes maximum safety and freedom. Kenyans should experience a shift in policing from practices characterised by extrajudicial illegality, impunity, and excesses to an approach defined by adherence to due process and the rule of law, fostering excellent relations with communities and inspiring trust among citizens.
Another fundamental expectation is the fight against corruption. The public resources entrusted to you must be used efficiently and fully accounted for. We must end the culture of extortion, bribery, and many other forms of corruption, which have inflicted a devastating stain on the credibility of the National Police Service. Let integrity, courtesy, efficiency, and professionalism become synonymous with our police service. This will make your work easier and citizens happier.
As a government, we are resolute in supporting the implementation of this Plan. Together, let us forge a future where the rule of law prevails, public safety is guaranteed, and Kenya’s prosperity is built on a foundation of trust and security. The National Police Service Strategic Plan 2023-2027 is now officially launched. Thank you, God bless you, God bless Kenya.