President Kenyatta orders police bosses to deal with corruption immediately

President Uhuru Kenyatta has reprimanded the National Police Service leadership ordering the force to deal with corruption in the Service immediately.

Speaking during a pass-out parade for the 3,933 new officers in Kiganjo, Nyeri County, Mr Kenyatta said that the input of resources in the Service will count for little if integrity issues are not addressed.

“While I appreciate all the work that has been done, I think it is fair to say that the Police Service has yet to solve these (integrity) problems. They had better be solved, and quickly,” Mr Kenyatta said Friday.

“However much we invest in the Service, it will count for little in the eyes of Kenyans if the failures and shortcomings in integrity that still trouble the Service are not handled decisively.”

The Kenya Police has over the years consistently ranked as the most corrupt public institution in different graft surveys.

Various reforms including the vetting of senior officers have failed to dent the graft image it is associated with.

The government recently embarked on programmes to improve the welfare of the police and equipping them in the face of serious security challenges like terrorism and cattle rustling.

Among the equipment purchased for the officers are armoured personnel carriers unveiled early this month.

“That improvement will be sustained in months to come: not only will the Service be allocated even more resources, we will also work to recruit more officers, so that we can come close to the United Nations recommended ratio of one police officer to 450 members of the public,” Mr Kenyatta said.