The General Service Unit (GSU) has asked Parliament to fund a permanent specialised tactical unit, drones and modern surveillance equipment, as Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat disclosed that the Kenya Police Service owes officers Sh70 million in unpaid allowances.

The requests were made to the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security during a budget oversight visit to a police facility in Magadi, Kajiado County, earlier this week. The committee is chaired by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo.

Allowance arrears

Lagat told MPs that some officers had gone two to three months without their allowances and asked the committee to clear the arrears in the next supplementary budget.

"Already, we have arrears of Sh70 million. Most officers have not been paid for the last two or three months, and we are struggling with that issue," he said.

He also requested Sh60 million to finance the transfer and rotation of officers, including those serving in Mandera, Busia and Narok, before the 2027 General Election.

Tents and low pay

Dr Benard Kibet Yegon, a Superintendent of Police in charge of planning, research and reforms at GSU headquarters, said officers posted to remote and harsh areas were living in worn-out tents that exposed them to extreme weather.

"The tents are really wearing us out. We could put up some semi-permanent structures in these camps. It requires a little funding," he told the committee.

Yegon said members of the specialised unit receive a monthly allowance of Sh2,000, which he argued should be reviewed given the dangers of their work. The unit also wants a special operations allowance already approved for another specialised formation to be extended to its officers.

Similar complaints surfaced in May, when the committee inspected a GSU camp in Mombasa and reported overcrowded rooms, leaking roofs and poor sanitation.

Drones and a permanent unit

GSU officials asked for:

  • Formal recognition of the specialised tactical unit as a permanent formation within the Kenya Police Service
  • Funding for drones, ammunition, surveillance technology and advanced tactical training
  • Money to set up five operational commands and strengthen multi-agency cooperation
  • Semi-permanent housing to replace tents in field camps

Yegon said a permanent unit would give the service specialised backup in emergencies that overwhelm regular officers, including attacks by armed groups such as Al-Shabaab.

"Strengthening GSU capability through targeted modernisation and technological advancement is essential to enhance operational effectiveness and preparedness in addressing the evolving national security environment," he said.

Committee response

Tongoyo said the committee would identify priority items for possible funding in the upcoming supplementary budget, with the remaining requests to be considered in the next financial year's budget estimates.

The appeal adds to pressure on the security budget as the government prepares to deploy police for the 2027 polls, and comes amid wider complaints over delayed pay and poor living conditions in the service.

Photos: Parliament of Kenya via People Daily; The Eastleigh Voice. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.