The National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has blown the whistle on what it terms "criminal negligence" within the security sector, revealing that families of police officers who paid the ultimate price are being denied their rightful compensation. In a heated session at Parliament Buildings, MPs accused the National Police Service (NPS) and its contracted insurer, Britam, of leaving widows and orphans destitute while Sh220 million in claims remains unpaid.

The revelation comes from a damning report by the Auditor General for the 2022/2023 financial year, which exposes a systemic failure to honor contractual obligations. The crisis is not just a matter of bookkeeping; it represents a fundamental breach of the unspoken pact between the state and those who swear to protect it. With the cost of living skyrocketing, the delay means that hundreds of families are unable to pay school fees or put food on the table, despite their loved ones having died serving the flag.

"A Cash-and-Carry Betrayal"

The committee, led by Acting Chair Tindi Mwale, heard shocking testimony regarding the "cash-and-carry" model adopted by the insurer. Britam Manager Benard Murage told the stunned MPs that the delays were strictly business.

"Our main constraint is the premium," Murage testified. "For us to run efficiently, the first thing we require is that insurance is a cash-and-carry service. You pay, you get the full service. If the government does not remit the premiums, our hands are tied."

This explanation did little to placate the lawmakers. Aldai MP Maryanne Keitany characterized the situation as a moral failing of the highest order. "Why does compensation have to take three years to be effected while the police are expected to pay monthly premiums on time without fail?" she posed. "We are telling our officers that their lives matter only as long as they are breathing. The moment they fall, their families become a statistic to be managed."

• The Numbers: The audit revealed pending claims amounting to Sh220 million.
• The Delays: Some families have been waiting since 2023 for payouts that contractually should be settled within 30 days.
• The Defense: NPS officials blamed "exchequer delays" and "incomplete documentation" from bereaved families.

Systemic Lethargy

Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo dismissed the NPS defense as bureaucratic gaslighting. He noted that the police service has been quick to enforce discipline within its ranks but incredibly slow to advocate for its own fallen heroes. "It is an insult to tell a grieving widow that her husband’s death benefit is delayed because of paperwork when the government has the data," Mugo argued. "This is not about papers; it is about priorities."

The committee has now issued a 14-day ultimatum for the Inspector General of Police and the National Treasury to harmonize their records and clear the backlog. Failure to do so, they warned, would result in sanctions against accounting officers. For the rank and file in the disciplined forces, however, the damage is already done; the message sent is that in the line of duty, they are on their own.