y Zadock Angira and PSCU

President Uhuru Kenyatta has commended security agencies, led by the National Police Service (NPS), for playing a leading role in the containment of the spread of Coronavirus over the last two years.

Despite the enforcement of public health measures not being at the core of NPS regular operations, the President said heroic acts by officers supported by sacrifices made by gallant health workers, helped forestall a catastrophe.

“Over the last two years, the whole world has walked through the valley of the shadow of death as we combated the Covid pandemic,” he said.
Invisible enemy

“However, the firmness of our resolve as a nation, helped to contain the surge of infections within our borders. In keeping the invisible enemy at bay, I thank the law enforcement agencies for the role they played in enforcing Covid-19 regulations.”

He spoke yesterday when he presided over the 57th passing out parade of 2,619 Administration Police officers at Embakasi A Campus in Nairobi.

He said the seamless manner in which the NPS adapted to the new demands imposed by Covid-19, is a reminder of the fluid nature of the contemporary law enforcement environment and urged the new officers to continuously improve their competencies.

“You will be required on occasions to operate in new and challenging operating theatres, and to address dynamic situations that call for new skills and approaches,” Uhuru told the new officers that included 2,215 men and 395 women graduands, respectively.

Uhuru reiterated the government’s commitment to continue with the ongoing NPS reforms, noting that since 2013, over 45,000 new police officers had joined the service; significantly boosting the entity’s human resource capacity.

At the same time, the President cautioned the officers against engaging in corruption and other workplace vices.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i thanked Uhuru for the government’s continued investment in the ongoing overhaul of the security sector.

He said resourcing had transformed security institutions to be among the best in the region.

Also present at the colourful ceremony was Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai and Deputy Inspector of Police in charge of Administration Police Service Noor Gabo