•He said the government is committed to continuing with the ongoing NPS reforms.
•Since 2013, over 45,000 new police officers had joined the service boosting the entity's human resource capacity.
Image: handout
President Uhuru Kenyatta has commended security agencies led by the National Police Service for leading in the containment of the spread of the Covid-19 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 police officers supported by sacrifices made by health workers helped forestall a national catastrophe.
“Over the last two years, the whole world has walked through the valley of the shadow of death as we combated the pandemic. However, the firmness of our resolve as a nation helped to contain the surge of infections within our borders,” he said.
“In keeping the invisible enemy at bay, I thank the law enforcement agencies for the role they have played in enforcing the Covid regulations and protocols.”
Uhuru spoke Monday afternoon when he presided over the 57th passing out parade of 2,619 new Administration Police officers at their Embakasi A Campus in Embakasi, Nairobi.
Security was tight in parts of Nairobi. Relatives of those graduating and members of the public were banned from the event.
The few guests were thoroughly screened.
These are part of measures put in place following heightened threats of terror attacks.
Police headquarters issued a directive earlier and said all officers who intend to attend the function must be in full uniform.
“Staff and other officials, who would wish to attend must wear their respective working dresses,” the directive read in part.
“This order is among measures put in place to enhance security in the light of prevailing threats of terrorist attack to both National Police College Embakasi ‘A’ and ‘B’ campuses.”
No visitor was allowed in the college on the eve of the passing out effective November 24.
The public was asked to watch the event on national television.
The president said how 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,” he said.
He said the government is committed to continuing with the ongoing NPS reforms. Since 2013, over 45,000 new police officers had joined the service boosting the entity's human resource capacity.
Besides growing police numbers, the president said the government continues to allocate adequate finances, improve staff welfare, build officers capacity in technical and specialized areas and expand housing and healthcare providers as part of the comprehensive reforms.
He cautioned the new officers against engaging in corruption and other workplace vices, and assured them that the government would shield them from unjust condemnation.
“The government is committed to continuing to uphold the dignity of police officers. Do what is right and per the law, devoid of corruption and other ills, and be assured that you will be protected from any form of undue harassment,” he said.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i thanked the President for the continued investment in the ongoing overhaul of the security sector saying the resourcing had transformed Kenya's security institutions to be among the best in the region.
As part of the passing out tradition, the President awarded outstanding graduands.
Titus Nyangi won the best recruit award in academics, Ruth Jepchumba Koech bagged the best shot recognition while Stanley Wafula, Urbanus Maweu, Simon Mbugua and Doris Amadi won the best all-around recruits award.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris