Ruto pledges ‘modern’ police force as Sh21bn spent on equipment, surveillance and housing

President William Ruto has said the government has invested Sh21 billion in a Sh30 billion police modernisation programme aimed at equipping the National Police Service with modern technology and capabilities to respond to emerging security threats.

The President said the programme covers protective equipment, mobility, air support, secure communications, surveillance and command-and-control systems, as well as digital capabilities, as the government seeks to strengthen the country’s security services.

Speaking on Friday during the passing-out parade of General Service Unit officers at the National Police College Embakasi ‘B’ Campus, Dr Ruto said the modernisation programme also includes specialised training in counter-terrorism, intelligence-led operations, public order management, forensics, cybercrime and emergency response.

“We are investing in protective equipment, mobility, air support, secure communications, surveillance, command-and-control systems, and digital capabilities. We are also strengthening training in counter-terrorism, intelligence-led operations, public order management, forensics, cybercrime, emergency response, and the lawful use of force,” President Ruto said.

The investment comes as the government prepares the security agencies for an increasingly complex security environment, with the GSU expected to play a central role in confronting terrorism and banditry, reinforcing other police formations during emergencies and securing strategic national assets.

The Head of State said modernisation must go hand in hand with professional development and welfare, promising transparent promotions, continuous professional development, group life protection and timely support for officers injured in the line of duty and families of officers who die while serving.

“We will ensure transparent promotions, continuous professional development, group life protection, and timely support for officers injured in the line of duty and for the families of those who make the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” he said.

President Ruto linked the professionalism of the police to public confidence, saying trust was among the force’s most important operational assets because citizens who trust the police are more likely to report crime, share intelligence and assist investigations.

His remarks come ahead of next year’s General Election, when he said political competition would intensify as parties organise, candidates campaign and citizens exercise their constitutional right to assemble.

The President told the newly graduated officers that the police would be required to secure the democratic space impartially, warning political leaders against drawing security agencies into partisan contests or asking officers to carry out unlawful instructions.

“Political competition will intensify, parties will organise, candidates will campaign, and citizens will assemble. The duty of the police is to secure this democratic space impartially. Political leaders must not draw the police into partisan contests, incite violence, or ask officers to carry out unlawful instructions; and citizens must exercise their democratic freedoms peacefully, respect the rights of others and obey the law,” he said.

At the same time, he said the right to peaceful assembly must be protected while the police should act against violence, intimidation, looting, arson and destruction of property.

“No political objective can excuse criminal conduct,” he said, directing the security agencies to protect peaceful assembly, life and property while acting against those who organise, fund, incite or perpetrate violence.

The President also renewed his pledge to improve police welfare, with the government saying it had implemented a three-phase review of police remuneration that has increased entry-level basic pay by 36 per cent. According to the President, the increase, together with allowances, has brought the cumulative monthly remuneration of an entry-level police constable to approximately Sh49, 000.

The government is also pursuing a police housing programme, with the President saying there are 137 projects comprising more than 28,000 housing units.

He said 870 units had been completed, about 12,000 were under construction, more than 1,500 were under procurement and another 15,000 were planned.

On healthcare, Dr Ruto said more than 138,000 police and prison officers and their eligible dependants had been brought under the Usalama Cover medical scheme through the Social Health Authority.

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