CS Matiang'i: I will not import new police uniforms : The Standard

The Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has maintained that the government will not succumb to pressure from merchants to have police uniforms imported. During the Tuesday address after a closed door meeting with stakeholders, the CS said major local factories had already been commissioned to manufacture the attires for 65,000 officers despite reports that the government is unable to find the suitable material for the new police uniform. Matiang’i insisted everything is on course and that the government has already paid local manufacturers to produce the new uniform. The new uniforms were unveiled by President Uhuru Kenyatta three months ago and were supposed to be rolled out on Jamhuri Day.

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However, by Monday police chiefs were still working extra hard to secure the fabric ahead of this week's deadline for officers to wear the new Persian blue uniforms. It also emerged that the material was out of reach, even as security bosses visited various textile factories. On Monday, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and Interior Permanent Secretary Karanja Kibicho were spotted at the Rivatex factory in Eldoret, where they had gone to look for the fabric. The Government team is also said to have scouted for the material at the Rivatex outlet in Nakuru County, several factories in Thika and another in Nairobi. It has emerged that there is a general shortage for that specific fabric. Reports indicated that the one used to make the few uniforms donned by top officials was imported.

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Related Topics

Fred Matiang’iPolice UniformsPolice Officers