Ruto Presides Over GSU Recruits' Passing-Out Parade in Embakasi [Photos]

President William Ruto on Friday, September 18, presided over the 50th General Service Unit (GSU) recruits' Pass-Out Parade at the National Police College, Embakasi 'B' Campus in Utawala, Nairobi.

Ruto used the occasion to highlight ongoing government efforts to modernise the National Police Service, saying substantial resources had already been committed towards improving the capacity of police officers.

"We have invested Ksh21 billion of the Ksh30 billion earmarked to modernise our police service, equipping our officers with the tools, technology and capabilities they need to protect citizens and safeguard Kenya," he said in a statement.

Ruto also outlined government measures aimed at improving the welfare of police officers, including housing initiatives under the Affordable Housing Programme.

"Through the Affordable Housing Programme, we are building 28,000 housing units across the country, providing police officers with decent and secure homes for themselves and their families," he added.

Ruto further pointed to healthcare support for members of the security services through Usalama Cover under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

"Further, through Usalama Cover, under the Social Health Authority, more than 138,000 police and prison officers have access to a dedicated medical scheme, ensuring access to quality healthcare," he further said.

Ruto also addressed the role of the National Police Service as the country prepares for the next General Election, urging officers to remain professional in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.

"As we approach the next General Election, we call on the National Police Service to uphold law and order without fear or favour, and to discharge its constitutional mandate with the highest standards of professionalism," he concluded.

Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat said the Golden Jubilee graduation represented the arrival of a new generation of highly trained and specialised officers into the service.

Lagat said the graduands had been subjected to rigorous training designed to test and strengthen their discipline, endurance, leadership abilities and operational skills.

The DIG challenged the new officers to apply the lessons acquired during their training throughout their careers and assignments.

"Carry the lessons from this college into every assignment," he told the graduands.

Lagat also recognised the contribution of the recruits’ families, saying their support had played an important role in helping the officers reach the graduation milestone.

"This is your day too. Their success is yours as well," he stated.

This comes days after the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) flagged a fake court ruling circulating online that purports to have stripped the commission of its powers to recruit and promote police officers.

The document, which was circulated on social media on Wednesday, September 16, claimed that the Employment and Labour Relations Court ruled that the NPSC is not a national security organ and has no constitutional mandate to recruit, train, appoint, promote, suspend or dismiss police officers.

It further claims that the court declared the recruitment of 10,000 police constables unconstitutional, null and void, while also purporting to bar the NPSC from undertaking future recruitment and promotions.

The document attributed the alleged ruling to Justice Hellen Wasilwa and claims that the Attorney General was directed to draft amendments to the NPSC Act and National Police Service Act within 90 days.

The circulating document also claims that the National Police Service would take over recruitment planning and concludes that Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja would become the sole employer of police officers.

However, NPSC dismissed the document as fake, indicating that the claims contained in it should not be treated as an authentic court ruling.