Ruto Adds 2 Months To Maraga's Term, Gives New Orders On NYS

President William Ruto has extended the tenure of the former Chief Justice David Maraga - led Police Reforms Taskforce by two months.

While speaking in Gilgil during the pass-out parade of the National Youth Service (NYS) officers on Friday, March 3, the President ordered for the extension to allow more time for the team to review the terms and conditions of NYS officers.

He explained that the move was necessary owing to the importance of the NYS in the country.

President William Ruto during an inspection of the guard of honour at the NYS pass-out parade at Gilgil, Nakuru County on March 3, 2023. /STATE HOUSE KENYA

“I have instructed the taskforce that is currently undertaking the terms and conditions of service of our policemen and the prison service members an extension of two months so that the National Youth Service can be included and their terms of service and employment are considered.

“I look forward to that report in the next two and half months so that we can make it possible for the men and women who do this great job to get their due regard from the people and the government of Kenya,” Ruto stated.

Maraga was initially appointed on December 22, 2022, to chair a 23-member task force to oversee the improvement of reforms for members of the National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Prisons Service (KPS).

Deputizing Maraga is Carole Kariuki. The two are heading the task force consisting of members including Moffat Muriithi Kangi, John Ole Moyaki, Ibrahim Jillo Guyo, Richard Kirundi, Elizabeth Mueni and Roseline Odede.

Other Members appointed to the task force were Joash Odhiambo Dache, Doreen Muthaura, Albert Mwenda, Terry Chebet Maina, Hassan Sheikh Mohamed, Capt. (Rtd.) Simiyu Werunga (Dr.), Mutuma Ruteere (Dr.), Anne Ireri, Stephen Kayongo, Jafaar Mohamed, Sammy Chepkwony and Khadija Mire.

Ruto also appointed joint secretaries to the task force, including Omwanza Ombati, Joy Mdivo and Rosemary Kamau.

The purpose of the task force is to review and recommend improvement of the terms and conditions of service. It will also:

1. Identify the legal, policy, administrative, institutional and operational constraints on effective service delivery by the National Police Service (hereafter, NPS) and the Kenya Prisons Service (hereafter, KPS);
2. Identify and recommend legal, policy, administrative, institutional and operational reforms in the NPS and KPS for effective service delivery;
3. Review and recommend improvement of matters relating to the welfare of officers in all cadres of the NPS and KPS and all other matters incidental to the optimal service delivery by the NPS and KPS. 
4. Review and recommend any other matter incidental to improved terms and conditions of service and other reforms in the NPS and KPS.

"The term of the task force is a period of 90 days with the effect from the date of this notice. The Secretariat of the task force shall be at the Ministry of Interior and National administration," added the notice.

The Maraga-led task force was also instructed to draft a report of their findings and also come up with an implementation matrix which will be delivered to the Head of State. Its term was set to end on March 22, 2023, after finalizing its report and handing it over to Ruto.

With the extension, the task force will now hand over its report on the recommendations to the Head of State in May 2023.