A recent Gazette Notice that revealed the official hiring rates for police officers has brought a lot of discussions in different parts of the country. Most of the Kenyans are amazed at the prices, which seem abnormally low when compared to normal standards.
The notice states that hiring an armed inspector would cost only KSh188 per hour. A senior sergeant, KSh150. Corporals, KSh125 per hour. While the least expensive of all, constables, cost KSh100 per hour. Unarmed officers have slightly lower fees.
Apart from the police service charges, the Gazette Notice also specifies fees for special services and equipment. A police patrol car that is fully equipped will cost KSh5,000 per hour. While motorcycle units, whether armed or unarmed, will cost between KSh1,200 and KSh2,000 per hour.
Although the prices are quite cheap, sometimes they have led to funny, ridiculous, but serious discussions among Kenyans who are trying to understand what these rates really translate to in everyday life.
For instance, one of the arguments made was that even a Kenyan who was traveling upcountry for Christmas and stayed there from December 24 to 26 could easily hire two armed inspectors for his security at the fatherly price of around 10 dollars per day.
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Others made fun of the police payment going up a whole day for the officer’s presence just to sit in a car and listen to music or getting a constable for one day at a cost lower than many casual labor jobs.
The prices’ accessibility has led people to question whether they are a true reflection of operating costs, equipment price, or the worth of attachment of the police service, particularly the risks that come with security work.
Kenyans are still on the hunt for answers as to whether these amounts are realistic, outdated, symbolic, or just part of a big regulatory framework, as the notice slowly but surely spreads. So far, the National Police Service has not given a clear public explanation.
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