No more excuses: Koskei orders tighter discipline in security sector

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has ordered a sweeping reset of the country’s security sector, citing concerns around integrity, investigative capacity, and collapse of cases.

Koskei said these reflect key challenges affecting public trust in law enforcement systems.

Following a virtual meeting with top security and oversight agencies on Tuesday, Koskei stated that urgent adjustments are needed to restore accountability, discipline, and efficient service delivery across the system framework.

The meeting brought together leadership from key institutions, including the Kenya Police Service (KPS), Administration Police Service (APS), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), and other agencies within the internal security framework.

Koskei acknowledged the commitment and sacrifice of officers working under difficult conditions to protect lives and maintain order, but noted that ongoing inefficiencies continue to affect confidence in the justice system.

“Corruption, weak investigations, poor case handling, and breakdowns across the criminal justice chain must be confronted directly,” he said.

“When cases collapse due to poor follow-through, offenders return to the streets, and citizens lose confidence in the system.”

He emphasised that public perception of the security sector is shaped by everyday interactions between officers and citizens, emphasising professionalism, prompt response, and respect in handling complaints and incidents professionally.

In the directive, Koskei outlined immediate priorities, including enforcing discipline and strict measures on integrity concerns, strengthening investigations, and ensuring cases handled professionally from reporting to conclusion.

He also called for improved coordination and real-time information sharing among agencies, noting that gaps between arrest, investigation, and prosecution have contributed to unsuccessful outcomes.

“We must operate as one system with a clear objective: to deliver security and justice effectively. Activity is not enough. We must deliver results,” he said.

The reforms are part of the ongoing re-energization and revitalization of the public service, aligned with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which identifies security as a critical pillar for national stability and economic growth.

Koskei maintained that restoring integrity and efficiency within the sector is a priority, stressing public authority must be exercised as a trust.

“Kenyans expect results. We must deliver,” he said.