President William Ruto has issued firm instructions to relevant ministries to ensure uniforms for security personnel is sourced locally.
Ruto said no more pieces of clothing meant for the officers will be imported in what he said is a deliberate move by his administration to promote local industries.
"I have already issued instructions that going forward all uniforms, shoes, items and other pieces of clothing that are required by all security services be manufactured by our companies and our Kenyan young people,” Ruto said.
The Head of State spoke on Wednesday during the pass out of 2,664 Kenya Forest Rangers (KFS) at the National Youth Service paramilitary academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County.
The newest cohort of the KFS officers, Ruto revealed, is the largest ever in post-independence Kenya.
While commending the management of NYS for allowing the rangers to be trained at their facility, Ruto termed this part of his administration’s one-government approach.
“This is the true spirit of one government approach. Let us continue to share the facilities that we have for training and other purposes,” he said.
Ruto also reiterated his commitment to having the terms of service for all security officers reviewed continually.
"We just concluded the one for the police, prisons and NYS. We will embark of KFS and KWS to see how they too can work in an environment where the people of Kenya appreciate the contribution they are making towards sustainable," he stated.
The last recruitment according to Kenya Forest Service Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko was done in 2002, where 1,000 rangers were employed.
Many have, however, retired.
Lemarkoko said the shortage of staff within the service has seen 400 rangers deployed to other duties such as driving and other office work, leaving 1,200 available for foot patrol, which he said is effective.
The CCF said rangers have been deployed to be in command, band and security of KFS infrastructure.
Lemarkoko said the new rangers will find it tough as they are supposed fill the gap that has been in the service for years.
He said Community Forest Associations stepped in to fill the human resource deficit in the service.
The new rangers have undergone training in several forest law enforcement approaches including human-rights based approach to law enforcement, law and policy development and implementation, battle tactics, KFS procedures, criminal justice system procedures among others.