Govt unveils new health insurance plan for security officers

Kenya government has unveiled a new health insurance arrangement for security officers, shifting thousands of personnel from private providers to a state-managed scheme starting 1 April.

The transition will affect officers serving in the National Police Service and Kenya Prison Service, who will now be covered under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund administered by the Social Health Authority.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the government has finalized preparations to ensure the transition is seamless for officers and their families.

“We have put in place robust measures to ensure a seamless transition of the National Police Service and the Kenya Prison Service from private health providers to the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund administered by SHA,” Murkomen said.

Expanded healthcare access for officers

The new plan significantly broadens the number of hospitals available to security officers.

Previously, officers depended on a network of about 800 hospitals under private medical cover. Under the new government scheme, they will access more than 6,000 accredited public, private and faith-based health facilities across the country.

Murkomen said the shift will improve both affordability and accessibility of healthcare services.

“The switch, scheduled for 1 April, will be of great benefit to our officers, improving their access to quality healthcare from the previous 800 hospitals to 6,000 public, private and faith-based facilities across the country,” he said.

Murkomen added that he received a preparedness update from Social Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi and National Police Service Principal Administrative Secretary Bernice Sialaal.

Government pushes welfare reforms for security services

The health insurance transition comes amid broader efforts by the administration of President William Ruto to improve welfare for security officers.

Speaking during the 46th Passing Out Parade of 3,862 recruits at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru, Kiambu county, the president announced the third phase of a salary review for prison officers.

The adjustment will take effect on 1 July and follows earlier salary increments implemented in two previous phases.

“Following the implementation of Phase I and Phase II, the entry pay for a prison constable has risen by 36% while the maximum point of the salary scale has grown by 24%. Phase III will take effect from 1 July,” Ruto said.

Officials say the reforms aim to improve morale and operational efficiency within the country’s security services.

Broader reforms in correctional services

The president also highlighted ongoing policy reforms within the correctional services sector, including plans to fast-track the Correctional Services Bill and Policy expected to be submitted to Cabinet by April.

Ruto said strengthening healthcare coverage for officers is critical to maintaining national security and stability.

“It is on this enabler of peace and security where you, as prison officers, play a critical and indispensable role by ensuring the safe, humane and secure custody of offenders,” he said.

Beyond welfare initiatives, the Kenya Prison Service is also supporting the government’s environmental agenda through a nationwide tree-planting programme.

The service has already planted more than 6.8 million trees, with an additional 1.87 million mature seedlings ready for transplanting in 76 departmental tree nurseries as part of the national target to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.

Government officials say the reforms are part of wider efforts to improve working conditions for security personnel while strengthening healthcare access and social protection across the sector.