State launches Sh1.7bn life cover for police officers

Families of police officers killed in the line of duty will receive compensation equivalent to the officers’ eight-year salary following the introduction of a Sh1.7 billion life insurance scheme.

The scheme, which was officially unveiled Tuesday, will also cater for police officers who sustain career-threatening injuries.

It will be administered by Pioneer Insurance, a private company that won the mega contract, and benefit the 107,000 security personnel, including prison warders.

Interior principal secretary Mutea Iringo and the company’s managing director Moses Kimani signed the contact at the ministry’s headquarters at Harambee House Tuesday.

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo appended his signature as a witness.

The starting date has been backdated to July 1.

“This is part of efforts to continuously improve the welfare of officers as part of the ongoing reforms in the security sector,” said Interior secretary Joseph ole Lenku.

In the scheme, a family of an officer who is killed in the line of duty, for example during a shootout with gangsters or bandits, will enjoy 100 per cent benefit that would amount to an equivalent eight-year salary.

The full reimbursement would also be extended to officers who are killed in accidents.

A constable, the lowest ranked officer, joining the force from training school has a death benefit of Sh1.72 million based on the basic pay of Sh18,000. This rank has a consolidated salary of about Sh30,500.

Constables who have served for a decade earn an average basic pay of Sh31,000, meaning they have a life benefit of Sh2.97 million.

Those who get severe injuries leading to permanent disability while on duty will also be considered for the full reimbursement.

The lucrative deal will further cover officers who die while not on official duty but the amount paid will be calculated at 70 per cent.

There will also be other payments that vary with rank. For instance, Sh150,000 will be made available for burial expenses of an officer, with the amount rising for higher ranks.

The package is also extended to cover funeral expenses of an officer’s spouse and children.