Families of police officers killed or permanently injured in the line of duty have endured years of pain, financial distress, and unanswered questions after the government failed to release their legally guaranteed insurance compensation.
Instead of receiving timely payouts meant to cushion them after devastating losses, these families were trapped in a broken system marked by delays, excuses, and alleged neglect.
Now, police bosses are under intense scrutiny after Parliament revealed that Ksh220 million owed to grieving families remains unpaid, exposing a deep welfare failure inside the National Police Service.
Families of Fallen Heroes Scammed as NPS Leadership Faces Parliamentary Heat
The leadership of the National Police Service, led by Inspector General Douglas Kanja, faced tough questioning from the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee following revelations that families of fallen and injured officers were denied insurance compensation for years despite meeting all requirements.
The grilling followed an Auditor-General’s report which confirmed that families of officers killed or injured while serving the country are still owed Ksh220 million in unpaid insurance claims, raising serious concerns about accountability within the police service.
Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu disclosed that the insurance firm contracted to provide group life cover and work injury benefits failed to honour its obligations, leaving vulnerable families stranded long after burial ceremonies ended.
Under the contract terms, insurers were required to settle claims within five days once families submitted complete documentation and officially notified the insurer through the National Police Service.
That promise collapsed in practice. Instead of timely payments, families endured prolonged waiting periods that stretched to three years, during which many struggled to pay school fees, rent, and medical bills while coping with the emotional trauma of losing their breadwinners.
Some families reportedly sold land, others took loans they could not service, while several were pushed into extreme poverty as they waited for money that the law already guaranteed.
Aldai MP and Public Accounts Committee member Mary Kitany sharply questioned police officials, demanding to know why a legally binding contract failed to protect families despite clear timelines and obligations.
She asked why the National Police Service continued to operate under an insurance arrangement that consistently failed officers and their dependants.
Her remarks reflected growing frustration among lawmakers who viewed the delays as unacceptable and morally indefensible.
Ksh220 Million Delays Deepen Crisis as Families of Fallen Heroes Scammed
Accounting Officer for the National Police Service, Bernice Lemedeket, acknowledged the delays but blamed them on funding challenges from the national exchequer, arguing that the government’s failure to release sufficient funds affected premium payments to insurers.
She explained that without timely premium payments, insurers could not effectively process and settle claims, adding that full insurance coverage requires adequate and consistent funding.
Her explanation triggered further scrutiny from committee members, who questioned why police officers continued serving under an insurance scheme that lacked guaranteed funding despite the obvious risks involved.
Lawmakers also pressed her to explain why police welfare funds were not prioritised, especially considering officers face life-threatening situations daily while safeguarding public security.
According to the November 2023 audit report, 97 claims worth Ksh206 million were eventually settled, while three additional cases amounting to Ksh6 million remained under processing.
Public Accounts Committee Chairperson Tindi Mwale dismissed claims that the settlements reflected commitment by the National Police Service, arguing instead that the payments only occurred after sustained pressure from Parliament.
He suggested that without parliamentary oversight, many families would still be waiting, reinforcing the view that action was reactive rather than driven by responsibility.
The committee’s findings painted a troubling picture of a system where families of fallen heroes were scammed not through theft, but through prolonged neglect and institutional failure.
Welfare System Exposed as Families of Fallen Heroes Scammed by Neglect
Kenyan police officers serve as constitutional officers under the National Police Service Act, making them eligible for government-backed insurance benefits similar to those enjoyed by other public servants.
Article 243 of the Constitution establishes the National Police Service as part of Kenya’s National Security Organs, placing a clear duty on the state to protect officers and their families.
Because of the dangers officers face, the government developed specialised welfare policies that include comprehensive healthcare through the Social Health Authority system, life insurance, and work injury benefits.
The insurance scandal has exposed how these protections often collapse when families need them most.
Officers witness colleagues die in service, then watch their families struggle without compensation, a reality that weakens morale and erodes trust in leadership.
Lawmakers have now called for structural reforms, including ring-fenced funding for police insurance, stricter enforcement of contracts, and penalties for insurers or officials who delay payments.
They also demanded greater transparency in how welfare funds flow from the Treasury to insurers.
For families of fallen heroes scammed out of Ksh220 million, parliamentary scrutiny offers renewed hope, but real justice will only come when compensation reaches every affected household without further delay.
