General Service Unit personnel have appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, highlighting the need for improved housing, allowances, and modern equipment. The officers, who are part of a specialised tactical unit within the Kenya Police Service, reported substandard living conditions, including deteriorating tents that expose them to extreme weather. The oversight visit took place at a GSU facility in Magadi, Kajiado County.
The GSU officials, led by Superintendent Dr Benard Kibet Yegon, urged lawmakers to boost funding for semi-permanent shelters, citing the harsh environments in which they are often deployed. Yegon also requested that the specialised tactical unit be formally recognised as a permanent formation within the Kenya Police Service, which would strengthen its legal standing and operational capacity. This recognition is expected to enhance the unit's effectiveness in maintaining security.
The GSU request included investment in modern equipment such as drones, surveillance technology, ammunition, and other tools to improve intelligence gathering and response capabilities. The officers currently deployed in remote areas highlighted the need for better equipment to effectively carry out their duties. The committee, chaired by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, was reviewing the implementation of the security sector budget during the visit.
Superintendent Yegon also called for a review of the current deployment allowances for specialised GSU officers, which stand at Sh2,000 per month. He argued that the figure should be revised in view of the risks associated with their assignments. Additionally, Yegon requested the implementation of a special operations allowance already approved for another formation, which would help to address the financial challenges faced by the officers.
Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat disclosed that the police service has accumulated Sh70 million in allowance arrears, leaving many officers unpaid for two to three months. He asked that the arrears be considered in the next supplementary budget, ensuring that the officers receive their due payments. Lagat also noted delays in enrolling newly recruited officers under the Social Health Authority medical cover.
Chairman Tongoyo said the committee would identify priority items for possible inclusion in the forthcoming supplementary budget, while other needs would be examined in subsequent budget cycles. He acknowledged the competing fiscal demands and the need for careful consideration of the GSU's requests. The committee's recommendations are expected to be crucial in addressing the challenges faced by the GSU officers.
The GSU officers' requests are aimed at improving their working conditions, enhancing their operational capacity, and ensuring that they receive fair compensation for their services. The outcome of the parliamentary oversight visit and the committee's recommendations will be crucial in determining the future of the GSU and its role in maintaining security in Kenya.
Key points
- GSU officers seek improved housing, allowances, and equipment to enhance their operational capacity and address the challenges they face in maintaining security.
