NAIROBI, Kenya — Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has ordered a sweeping reset of Kenya’s security sector, directing agencies to enforce discipline, eliminate corruption, and strengthen investigations to restore public trust.
Koskei issued the directive during a high-level virtual consultative meeting bringing together leadership from key security and oversight agencies, including the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Independent Policing Oversight Authority, National Cohesion and Integration Commission, and National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, among others.
The meeting forms part of the government’s broader public service reform agenda aimed at improving efficiency, accountability, and citizen-centred service delivery.
Koskei acknowledged the role of security officers in maintaining law and order but warned that persistent institutional failures continue to erode confidence in the system.
“Corruption, weak investigations, poor case handling, and breakdowns across the criminal justice chain must be confronted directly,” he said, noting that collapsed cases often allow offenders to return to the streets.
He stressed that the public judges the security sector based on everyday interactions with officers, calling for professionalism, responsiveness, and respect in all engagements.
“Each officer represents the government, and every interaction shapes public perception,” Koskei added.
During the meeting, agencies agreed on a set of immediate priorities, including enforcing zero tolerance for corruption and misconduct, strengthening investigative processes, and ensuring cases are handled effectively from reporting to resolution.
Koskei also called for improved coordination among agencies, particularly in information sharing and bridging gaps between arrest, investigation, prosecution, and final case outcomes.
The directive comes amid growing scrutiny over inefficiencies in Kenya’s criminal justice system, where delays, weak investigations, and poor case follow-through have been cited as major challenges undermining justice delivery.
By pushing for a “firm reset,” Koskei signalled a shift toward results-driven performance within the sector, warning that activity alone would no longer be sufficient without measurable outcomes.
“We must operate as one system with a clear objective: deliver security and justice effectively,” he said.
He further linked security reforms to the government’s economic agenda, noting that safety and stability are critical for investment and growth.
“Without safety, there is no investment, no growth, and no meaningful development,” Koskei stated, aligning the reforms with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
The renewed push places security agencies under increased pressure to demonstrate accountability and deliver tangible improvements, as the government seeks to rebuild public confidence in law enforcement and the broader justice system.
Koskei concluded by emphasising personal responsibility across the ranks, stating that public authority must be exercised as a trust.
“Kenyans expect results. We must deliver,” he said.
