Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

Matiangi says govt won’t buy imported police uniform

So far, only a handful of senior police officers and a few from the lower cadre have been supplied with the new Persian Blue uniform. Photo/COURTESY NPS.

NAIROBI, Kenya Dec 18 – Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi says the government will not succumb to pressure from merchants to buy imported police uniform.

This follows uproar that the government is unable to find the suitable material for the new police uniform which was supposed to be rolled out on Jamhuri Day.

Matiangi, however, says everything is on course and that the government has already paid local manufacturers to produce the new uniform, while dismissing as propaganda talk that they are struggling to get the suitable material.
So far, only a handful of senior police officers and a few from the lower cadre have the new Persian Blue uniform that was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta recently.

A visibly agitated CS told journalists on Tuesday that himself, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho have been under immense pressure from “all manner of thieves that we should import the police uniform.”

“Listen to me very carefully, we will not import police uniform from any country. We must protect and promote the local textile industry. Buy Kenya build Kenya. No amount of pressure and manipulation will change that position,” he asserted.

Earlier on Monday night, the IG had told Capital FM News that there are “campaigns by merchants in their attempt to mess up with the programme,.”

Matiangi, on Tuesday morning wondered, “how then are we going to support our cotton farmers and manufacturers and create jobs in the country?”.

“You know, this monkey business that has been going on for some time must stop. Isn’t simply outrageous that someone is saying we don’t have material in Kenya with the kind of textile industry we have?,” he posed.

Matiangi, however, insists everything is on course and that the government has already paid local manufacturers to produce the new uniform, while dismissing as propaganda talk that they are struggling to get the suitable material.

Already the Government has paid for the first batch of police uniform.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Some 600 National Youth Service tailors are among those entrusted to deliver more than 90,000 pieces for all members of the National Police Service.

So far, only a handful of senior police officers and a few from the lower cadre have been supplied with the new Persian Blue uniform that was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta recently.

“People should stop being mischievous,” the CS said.

 

 

The change in police uniform is just a section of drastic police reforms launched by the President.
The change in police uniform is a United Nations recommendation, in a bid to increase their visibility while serving civilians and a way to enhance accountability.

The new uniform was first seen this year on September 13 at the Kenya School of Government, when President Kenyatta announced a set of drastic reforms that include merging Kenya and Administration police services.

Under the merger, the officers will work under a new unit named the “General Duty Officers” which will be under the Deputy Inspector General of Police.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The Rural Border Police Unit has been transformed into the border police unit with 6,000 officers under the Deputy Inspector General of Police who oversees the Administration Police.

The Administration Police, regular, regional, county and sub-county commander posts were abolished.

President Kenyatta also re-named Kiganjo Police college to the National Police College, with the AP College named as the campus of the National Police College.

Going forward, junior police officers will now enjoy house allowances, after the mandatory housing in quarters was abolished.

The officers will be required to use their allowances to acquire private rental property.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News