Avoid graft at all costs, President tells new officers

Some of the police officers who graduated after completing nine months of training will be included in preparations for the 2022 general elections.

This was revealed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiag'i during the pass out of 2,610 recruits who graduated yesterday at the Administration Police Training College in Utawala, Nairobi.

At the same time President Uhuru Kenyatta when led the ceremony challenged graduates to uphold the highest standard of professionalism, dignity, fidelity to the law and shun away from corruption.

“With the issue of corruption and integrity firmly lodged in our national consciousness, my plead to you is not to allow the fruits of the many of years of sacrifice wither because of graft,” he said

That way, the Head of Stead said will save the junior officers and their family the distress, the shame, and tears that come from prosecution, suspension and been dismissed from the service

He added that “To you graduates, as you leave this college and begin service to Kenya I remind you that yours is a profession that demands you unconditionally commit to the motto...Uaminifu na Haki,”

The President also took chance to highlight some of his administration’s achievements in the uniformed forces stating that a a lot has been achieved in ten year period.

For instance, he stated that since 2013 when he took over the Presidency, there has been an increase of police officers by over 45,000 goals that he noted has never been achieved even by the past administrations.

He pointed out that his regime was committed to provide material support to enable them perform their duties efficiently and ensuring the country is peaceful

“My administration has continued to fulfill its police reform agenda by providing resources improving staff welfare, and enhanced benefits in housing and healthcare, I also commended the law enforcement agencies for their role in enforcing the Covid-19 regulations and protocols,” he noted.

President Uhuru urged Kenyans to lead by example by adhering to all the laws in the Republic and partners with security agencies in fighting crime by volunteering any vital information on threats to security.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on his part said a lot has been achieved in the service including hefty investments that has made Kenya stand out in the region in terms of security sector.

“We were here in 2013 those who were here know the challenges that we had. We have seen reforms and we can proudly say the investment you have made in terms of resources and acquisition has made in terms of Internal security sector as one of the strongest in the region” said Matiang’i

“The 2610 officers who passed out today will join the rest of the team that we are working with in preparation of the general elections” he pointed out.

Matiang’i lauded the government for strengthening the security sector and promising to move away from less professional decisions that affected the security of the country before.

“We will follow the path that the President has drawn to us of ensuring that out country remains secure because that is our foremost task as government” he added

Also present were Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambia and other senior government officials in the ministry on interior and coordination.