A total of 1,272 compensation claims by police officers injured in the line of duty have been successfully paid, the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations has been told.

The National Police Service Commission which appeared before the Committee on Thursday, revealed that as at 28th February 2026, a total of 1,954 claims relating to the 2021/2022 financial year had been lodged with the National Hospital Insurance Fund, now operating as the Social Health Authority.

The Commission through its Chief Executive Officer Mr Peter Leley flanked by Chairperson Dr Amani Yuda Komora, further informed the Committee that 393 claims remain pending. Of these, 276 relate to the Kenya Police Service, 94 to the Administration Police Service and 23 to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. However, the Commission also disclosed that 289 claims had been declined.

The Commission noted that most of the pending claims are due to delays in the submission of complete documentation by officers or their dependants as well as the requirement for a second medical opinion before the claims are processed.

The Commission Chairperson termed the practice of seeking a second medical opinion unlawful.

“The persistent challenge in the administration of the compensation scheme has been the insurer’s practice of unilaterally referring injured officers for a second medical examination. These re-evaluations are typically conducted by a single doctor appointed by the insurer and have frequently resulted in significantly reduced compensation awards compared to the original assessments made by the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services,” submitted Dr Amani.

He reiterated, “This current practice not only contravenes the law and the terms of the contract but also places injured officers at a significant disadvantage by arbitrarily reducing the benefits to which they are rightfully entitled.”

Members of the Committee called for the prompt settlement of claims whenever they arise instead of leaving injured officers waiting for extended periods.

Committee Chairperson Sen. Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo) directed the Commission to submit additional information required to enable the Committee to prepare a comprehensive report to be presented to the Senate.

Other members present were Vice-Chairperson Sen. Prof Tom Ojienda SC (Kisumu), Sen. Julius Murgor (West Pokot), Sen. Dr Lelegwe Ltumbesi (Samburu) and Sen. Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), with Sen. Okiya Omtatah (Busia) attending as a friend of the Committee.