I am a serving Kenya Police officer. I know many Kenyans are unhappy with the police, but I ask you to also hear our side.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Interior PS Dr. Raymond Omollo have repeatedly spoken about improving the welfare of police officers. The government created the impression that officers would receive a meaningful salary increase.
The reality, at least from my payslip, is that my salary has only increased by KSh 1,800. After months of public announcements and promises, that amount is extremely disappointing. It cannot sustain anyone for more than a few days in the current economy.
What hurts most is that the public now believes police officers received huge salary increments. Even our own families think we are earning much more than before. The truth is that many of us are still struggling to meet basic household expenses despite the government’s announcements.
I am appealing to CS Kipchumba Murkomen and PS Dr. Raymond Omollo to stop selling a picture that does not reflect what many officers are actually receiving. If police welfare is truly a priority, then let the improvements be meaningful, not figures that look good in press conferences but make little difference on officers’ payslips.
Kindly hide my identity because speaking publicly about these issues could put my job at risk.
Via Cyprian Nyakundi
