NAIROBI, Kenya- The government has announced plans to deliver more than 28,000 housing units for police officers through 137 projects across the country.
President William Ruto said 870 units had already been completed, while approximately 12,000 were under construction.
More than 1,500 units are undergoing procurement, with a further 15,000 planned for development.
Ruto announced the figures during the 50th General Service Unit Recruits Passing-Out Parade at the National Police College, Embakasi “B” Campus, in Nairobi.
The houses are being developed under the institutional housing component of the Affordable Housing Programme and financed through the Housing Fund.
“We are confronting the long-standing shortage of decent accommodation for our police officers,” Ruto said.
The projects include major developments at the GSU headquarters in Ruaraka, the Presidential Escort Unit’s Ruiru Camp and the GSU Training School in Embakasi.
The President said the programme was intended to ensure officers returned from duty to suitable homes where they could raise their families.
“This is what standing with our officers means: ensuring that every man and woman entrusted with protecting our nation can return from duty to a decent home and raise a family in dignity,” he said.
Police welfare programme
Ruto said housing formed part of a wider government programme addressing police remuneration, healthcare, equipment, training and family support.
He said a three-phase review of police pay had delivered a 36 per cent increase in entry-level basic salaries, with corresponding adjustments across the ranks.
Allowances bring the cumulative monthly remuneration of an entry-level police constable to approximately Sh49,000, according to the President.
More than 138,000 police and prison officers and their eligible dependants have also been enrolled in the Usalama Cover administered through the Social Health Authority.
The medical provider network available to officers has expanded from 973 facilities under the previous private insurance arrangement to more than 8,000 facilities across all 47 counties.
The cover includes outpatient and inpatient care, surgery, maternity services, chronic and pre-existing conditions, dental and optical care, diagnostics and specialist treatment.
Ruto also said the government was implementing a Sh30 billion Police Modernisation Programme, with Sh21 billion already invested.
The programme covers protective equipment, vehicles, air support, secure communications, surveillance, command-and-control systems and digital capabilities.
Ruto said the investments reflected the government’s obligation to support officers confronting terrorism, banditry, armed crime and violent disorder.
The President spoke as new GSU officers completed their training and formally joined the National Police Service.
