Blow To William Ruto As Court Declares Maraga's Task Force On Police Reforms Unconstitutional
- President William Ruto’s police welfare task force, led by ex-CJ David Maraga, was declared unconstitutional by the High Court
- Justice Mwamuye ruled that the president unlawfully bypassed the National Police Service Commission in forming the team
- The court put the head of state in the spotlight and warned against using task forces to override independent commissions’ mandates
- Maraga’s task force had proposed major reforms, including pay raises and new entry points into the police service
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - President William Ruto has suffered a major setback in his ambitious plan to overhaul police welfare through a task force.
Source: Twitter
In another legal blow, the High Court on Thursday, April 10, declared the task force chaired by former chief justice David Maraga unconstitutional, invalidating all its findings and recommendations.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that Ruto had overstepped his authority by forming the 23-member team without involving the independent National Police Service Commission (NPSC), which is constitutionally mandated to handle matters of police welfare and reforms.
Mwamuye faulted the president for bypassing independent institutions, warning against the growing trend of using task forces to perform functions reserved for constitutionally protected bodies.
"The president cannot, under the disguise of executive powers, take functions of an independent commission and vest them in a task force. It is unlawful and unconstitutional," Justice Mwamuye ruled.
What was the mandate of Maraga's task force
Formed in December 2022, the Maraga-led task force was tasked with reviewing police officers’ welfare, working conditions, and legal structures governing their service.
Source: Twitter
It was also meant to streamline operations within the National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Prisons Service (KPS).
Among its key proposals was an increase in salaries for officers in the homeland department and a recommendation to open up two distinct entry points into the service: constable and cadet.
These changes, if implemented, would have required significant policy realignments by the NPSC.
The team submitted its final report to the president on October 5, 2023, sparking anticipation across the police force, many of whom hoped it would usher in long-awaited reforms.
Govt to start recruiting cadet police officers
After a two-year pause, the National Police Service (NPS) will resume officer recruitment in late 2025, with a particular emphasis on appointing cadet officers.
This initiative was part of a broader strategy to enhance service delivery and rectify persistent shortcomings within the force.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo stated that this recruitment aligned with recommendations from Maraga's team.
The decision to focus on cadet officers was to diversify entry points into the police ranks, moving away from the traditional uniform entry-level induction.
Omollo highlighted the importance of addressing human resource challenges and promoting human rights within the service.
He noted that introducing cadet positions would allow for varied entry levels, thereby addressing existing gaps.
In addition to recruitment, the NPS is implementing a seven-year modernization program.
This includes establishing digital police stations and introducing a digital Occurrence Book (OB) to streamline operations and improve efficiency. These reforms aim to enhance transparency and accountability within the service.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
