Families of police officers and servicemen who die in the line of duty are entitled to substantial compensation and long-term benefits to cushion them from financial hardship.
The payouts, which can amount to millions of shillings, vary depending on the officer’s rank, years of service, and salary grade.
The government has indicated plans to compensate the families of officers who succumbed during the ongoing peacekeeping mission in Haiti. Already, the country has lost two officers in Haiti, with one already buried.
The compensation framework is governed by the National Police Service Act, regulations set by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), and the Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA) of 2007.
Under the mandatory life insurance policy for all officers, families of the deceased receive a payout equivalent to the officer’s salary for eight years. For example, if an officer earned Ksh50,000 per month, the family would receive Ksh4.8 million—calculated as Ksh50,000 multiplied by 12 months and then by eight years.
In addition, the family is entitled to a one-time death gratuity equal to six months’ salary. Using the same example, an officer earning Ksh50,000 would secure their family a Ksh300,000.
Officers who served for less than a year receive two times their annual basic salary, while those with over a year of service get four times their annual basic salary.
The government also covers funeral expenses, providing between Ksh30,000 and Ksh50,000 to assist with burial arrangements. In cases where an officer dies abroad, such as those deployed in international missions like Haiti, the state bears the cost of repatriating the body.
For officers who served more than 10 years, their dependents qualify for a pension equivalent to their salary at the time of death, paid over five years.
If the officer contributed to the Widows and Children Pension Scheme (WCPS), the widow receives a lifelong pension unless she remarries, while children benefit until they reach the age of eligibility, typically 24 if still in education or 18 otherwise.
Beyond financial compensation, surviving spouses and children receive free healthcare under the Social Health Authority (SHA) and access to government hospitals.
Education support is also provided, with children eligible for free primary and secondary schooling, as well as tuition waivers for university education.
Housing assistance is another benefit, with families either receiving government housing or a monthly allowance for up to two years following the officer’s death.
The claims process requires submission of key documents, including the death certificate, marriage or birth certificates for dependents, the officer’s service records, and bank details.
