Editor's Review

Ruto said that the government is ready to be held accountable, given that the uniform change was financed with public resources.

President William Ruto has welcomed scrutiny into the process by which the new police uniforms supply tender was awarded.

Speaking on Friday, September 4, Ruto acknowledged that the change of general service uniforms was part of broader reforms in the National Police Service and is a matter of public interest.

He said that the government is ready to be held accountable given that taxpayers' money was used in the procurement process.

"Because this entire police reform programme is undertaken in the public interest and financed with public resources, every aspect of it must withstand scrutiny. We welcome the scrutiny of every decision and every shilling spent," Ruto stated.

The Head of State noted that while accountability is welcome, it must be based on facts, and should not be an avenue to soil the reputation of individuals or institutions without supporting facts.

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A file photo of President William Ruto and IG Douglas Kanja.

"Accountability is a constitutional obligation and must rest on facts, evidence and the truth. We must demand answers without prejudice; question decisions without condemning people unheard and expose wrongdoing wherever it exists.

"Honest scrutiny strengthens institutions, safeguards public resources and serves the greater public interest," he added.

President Ruto reiterated that the final uniform design stemmed from consultation with police officers and the Kenyan republic amid claims by a section of Kenyans that it is an eyesore.

He added that it reflects considerations of professional identity, operational suitability, and the dignity of our police officers.

The President reaffirmed that his government was committed to implementing police reforms across the entire policing system, with much attention to remuneration, welfare and housing, technology, infrastructure and capacity building.

He noted that, so far, the government has implemented the three-phase salary review, which has significantly raised the basic salary of the police constable by up to 36 per cent.

His sentiments came amid concerns over how the tender for the supply of police uniforms was awarded, with allegations that some government officials secured the contract through proxy companies.

The Police denied reports that Nalitex Limited was one of the firms given the tender to make the Kenya Police Service General Duty uniforms. It added that the firm did not feature anywhere in the NPS tender process.

NPS maintained that the tendering process was competitive, with M/s Bedi Investments Limited having satisfied all the requirements, hence the award; this was after four textile firms were invited to bid, namely: Bedi Investments Limited, Rivatex East Africa Limited, Thika Textile Mills Limited, and Sunflag Textiles & Knitwear Mills.