‘Police officers to get first priority to occupy govt’s affordable houses’ – Ruto

President William Ruto has said police officers will be given first priority to occupy the government’s affordable houses.

Speaking during a pass-out ceremony for Administration Police officers in Embakasi on Wednesday, January 11, the President said the move will allow the officers to live in a dignified and safe place.

“We have identified police officers as priority beneficiaries of the affordable housing projects, in order to ensure that members of the service lead dignified lives in clean, spacious, safe, and secure houses and neighbourhoods,” he said.

The President also said his government has already procured insurance cover for the officers to access high-quality medical services.

“Also, the provider of comprehensive health insurance cover has been competitively contracted, to ensure that all police officers and their families have access to high-quality medical services, including mental health and psycho-social support,” he stated.

At the same time, Ruto said the government has increased investment in the provision of infrastructure, equipment, and technology for the police to improve their capacity to combat crime and protect Kenyans and their property.

“Additionally, we have enhanced coordination between various agencies in resolving crime and security threats, while at the same time deepening the collaboration between the police services and communities.

“For this reason, it is important for every police officer to be mindful of the need to maintain relations of mutual respect with members of the public as a matter of necessity.

“This is because citizens are their employers, citizens’ rights and freedoms are constitutionally protected, and also because cordial relations with the public enhances police capacity to keep citizens, their communities, and property safe,” he added.

Police liberation

Ruto further said he has liberated the police service from political and bureaucratic control by relocating the police budget from the Office of the President to the Office of the Inspector-General.

“Without autonomy, the police service is vulnerable to weaponization, making it a threat, instead of the solution to challenges in our security and law-and-order sectors.

“We have also sustained the commitment to escalate the police-to-citizen ratio by recruiting and training more policemen and women on a continuous basis to ensure that Kenyans have access to responsive and effective police protection throughout the country,” he said.

The President also said police officers are well-equipped to eradicate banditry and cattle rustling within Kenya’s borders.

“We are determined to deliver security in all parts of Kenya without sacrificing fundamental rights and freedoms.

“A more autonomous, professional, and better-resourced police service whose members enjoy conducive terms of employment and conditions of service and have access to adequate welfare amenities, will go a long way in facilitating this commitment,” he added.