The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has launched a Medical Assessment Board, to adequately address the security officer’s medical concerns, while in their line of duties.
Eliud Kinuthia, the NPSC Chairman, clarified that they have undertaken the initiative in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, Inspector General, DCIO, APS and the Regional Police Commanders.
He spelt out that the Commission’s major concern is about the state and welfare of the police personnel in their places of work.
The launching and sensitization of the medical assessment began in Nairobi, Nakuru and Eldoret (Rift Valley), Kisumu and Kisii (Nyanza) a month ago.
Kinuthia further listed housing, promotions, transfers, and commuter allowances, as some of the key areas the Commission striving to improve.
“The Special Medical Board (SMB), is tasked with assessing the medical conditions of the serving police officers within the entire country,” he explained, while addressing the forum held at the Administration Police Training College, Kisumu.
He said that police officers in Job Group L (Superintendents to Senior Assistant IG), have fairly good medical covers for both in-and outpatient facilities.
The selected SMB is headed by Dr. Rose Kibosia, Dr. Gladwell Gathecha and Dr. Rose Jalang’o (Ministry of Health), Dr. Lucy Musyoka, and medical officers from Mathare Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret.
“We are mandated to carry out medical assessment on police officers who had sustained injuries during their service and forward a comprehensive report to the NPSC,” Dr. Kibosia said, adding, they have so far medically assessed 800 officers and 100 patients with psychiatric and mental disorder cases in the country.
Dr. Kibosia expressed lots of optimism in the team that is composed of doctors, psychiatrists, mental consultants, guidance and counsellors to successfully deliver in their newly assigned task.
The occasion was graced by the NPSC Vice Chairperson, Dr. Alice Atwala, Commissioners Lilian Kiambaa, Messrs. Laiguta, Ole Mayaki, Nyanza Regional Commander Magu Mutindika, among other senior police officers.
Dr. Atwala lauded the Chair and the Commission’s medical assessment initiative, as a milestone in its role since its inception in 2019.
She urged the policemen to always offer peer support amongst themselves, which he termed is very critical for the service’s fruition.
The Nyanza Regional Boss, praised the NPSC for considering the plight of the officers and reminding them to also improve the housing issue.
He advised the security officers to maximize their time by presenting tangible ideas and issues to NPSC, in order to improve their well-being.
Kinuthia, informed that the police officers don’t have the right to privacy during delivery of their services.
“They don’t have the right to demonstrate and picket like doctors and teachers in the civil service,” he pointed out.
Similarly, he implored upon the station commanders and senior officers, to professionally handle issues affecting police officers with human interest.
Constable Dickson Ruto of Kisumu Central Station, who has served for 37 years, requested the Commission to look into fair transfer of officers on medical grounds to their local counties, and offer prompt commuter allowance and capitation to them.
In supporting Ruto, Corporal Elisha Oyamo, of Kondele Police Station, voiced his concerns on Persons with Disability (PWD), who rarely get promoted in the ranks.
Mr. Laiguta clarified that promotions of PWDs and transfers will be reviewed, while commuter allowances, capitation, salaries and emoluments are handled by the employer and SRC.
He revealed that, they are currently working on IG’s list recommending promotions for constables who have attained the age of 55years and above based on merit.
By Rolex Dan and Cosby Janet
