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President William Ruto yesterday directed the National Police Service (NPS) heads to provide all officers with high quality uniform under a government funded scheme.

Ruto said no police officer should be made to buy official outfits with own money as has been the practice in the recent past.

“Let no officer buy his or her  own uniform as you  leave this place today as has been the case in the past. Let these officers leave this place knowing that the government of Kenya has taken care of their uniform. Uniforms should also be of the right standard,” he said.

In what could be a pointer to the Kenya Kwanza government’s determination to change the current medium-blue uniform, President Ruto said the government will provide police officers with appropriate uniforms.

He expressed his distaste for the current police uniform, saying it was not only substandard but also not appealing to the eye.

“I expect that the uniform that these men  and women will be given will be of the quality that meets the standards for our police men and women who perform distinguished security functions in the Republic of Kenya,” he said.

Civilian tailors

The Head of State called on the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome  to liaise with the office of the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to ensure that the police are given adequate resources to execute their mandate.

Police officers have reportedly been  buying their uniforms from civilian tailors after a government directive  that the law enforcement officers wear the new-look uniforms introduced in 2020 despite lack of supplies.

Some police officers told journalists  that they were directed by their seniors to purchase the new uniforms from civilian tailors who charge up to Sh5,000 for a pair.

But  Speaking  yesterday during the pass out parade of 2,881 newly trained police officers at  the National Police Training College, Kiganjo, Ruto ordered an end  to the trend and instructed the police bosses to ensure that all officers are provided with uniforms.

At the same time, President Ruto reiterated that his government will not interfere with the independence of the police as long as the officers execute their mandate professionally.

The President said he would direct all his energy and resources towards overseeing a police service that is citizen-centred, service-oriented and one that respects all human rights and freedoms.

Partisan politics

He said he had granted financial autonomy to NPS by transferring the  police budget from the Office of the President to that of the Inspector General of Police as a show of commitment to the independence of the service.

With the establishment of the budget office, he said, the service acquired the independence necessary to uphold efficiency, professionalism and accountability.

He said the directive further provided an impetus to  the fight against corruption and improved citizen confidence in the police thereby enhancing the institution’s credibility and authority.

The budgetary autonomy, he said, would also ensure the police were not misused to fight partisan political wars.

“This will go along way in ensuring that criminal justice will never be again weaponised,” he said.