NAIROBI, KENYA – The Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations on Thursday, October 30, 2025, ordered a consortium of insurance firms to pay all outstanding compensation claims to police officers injured in the line of duty within two weeks. The directive, issued during a heated session in Nairobi, seeks to end years of delays that have left hundreds of officers facing financial hardship while grappling with life-altering injuries.

The committee, chaired by Senator Fatuma Dullo, responded to petitions from affected officers who detailed the prolonged and frustrating process of seeking their rightful dues. “We are ordering you to pay the claims, and that is a must. It is not a request, and it must be done before the next meeting. We have given you 14 days,” Senator Dullo stated firmly to the representatives of the insurance companies.

This move casts a spotlight on a systemic crisis within the National Police Service (NPS) compensation scheme, a problem repeatedly flagged by the Auditor-General and parliamentary bodies. The issue affects officers across the NPS, including the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

A System Plagued by Delays and Disputes

For years, the system designed to protect Kenya's security personnel has been fraught with bureaucratic hurdles and non-compliance. According to the Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA), 2007, insurers are legally required to settle claims within 90 days of being lodged. However, evidence presented to the Senate committee revealed that this timeline is frequently ignored.

A document submitted to the committee in late 2024 showed that out of 2,162 claims filed, only 937 had been paid. Hundreds of other claims were either rejected or remain under review, with disputes arising over documentation and insurers demanding secondary medical assessments, a practice described as unlawful by the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS). The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) Chairperson, Eliud Kinuthia, has previously accused the Social Health Authority (SHA), formerly the NHIF, of breaching contractual obligations by failing to adhere to the 90-day settlement period.

Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu, in a report for the 2023/2024 financial year, highlighted significant anomalies in the multi-billion shilling insurance cover for the NPS and Kenya Prisons Service (KPS). The report, audited in November 2024, revealed that the insurer had failed to settle 509 WIBA claims and 262 Group Personal Accident (GPA) claims despite notification. This failure to monitor the contract effectively has denied critical benefits to over 100,000 officers and their families.

The Human Cost of Delayed Justice

The delays are not just statistical anomalies; they represent profound personal crises for the officers who put their lives on the line. A 2024 report by a task force led by former Chief Justice David Maraga described the process of pursuing compensation as an “additional pain to the physical injuries they bear.” Officers reported having to travel to Nairobi multiple times from their duty stations to follow up on their claims, a costly and draining exercise that often yields no results.

The financial strain is immense. Legislators noted that the affected officers earn minimal salaries and are often left in dire straits after sustaining injuries. The failure to provide timely support has a direct impact on the morale and welfare of the entire police service, which is a cornerstone of national security.

Insurance Providers and Government Response

The comprehensive insurance cover for the NPS and KPS is a significant government expenditure. In January 2023, a consortium of insurers led by CIC Group, Old Mutual, and Britam was commissioned to provide an Sh8.67 billion medical cover, taking over from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). APA Insurance has also been cited as a provider, with its contract renewed from April 2025 to March 2026.

During Senate hearings, insurance firms have cited the government's failure to remit premiums as a key reason for the payment delays. A report in December 2024 indicated a government shortfall of Sh4.1 billion in premium payments, hindering the firms' ability to honour claims.

The Senate committee has pledged to address these systemic failures, including proposing legislative amendments to strengthen enforcement and potentially blacklist companies that consistently delay payments. The directive for payment within 14 days is the most decisive step yet to hold the insurers accountable and deliver long-overdue justice to Kenya's injured officers. The committee expects an updated list of settled claims at its next session.