Ruto tells critics: Question police reforms, but stick to facts

NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 4 – President William Ruto has defended Kenya’s new police uniforms amid criticism over the design, saying the change is part of a wider plan to transform the National Police Service. Speaking during the 59th Passing-Out Parade for Administration Police recruits at the National Police College in Embakasi, Nairobi, Ruto said the new uniforms should not be viewed as an isolated project. “The new uniforms for general duty officers that we unveiled last week must be understood within this broader reform program,” Ruto said.

“It is not a standalone intervention, but part of the comprehensive transformation of the National Police Service arising from the reform process.” The President said the uniforms were developed after consultations with police officers and members of the public. According to Ruto, the new design was meant to improve the professional identity of officers while also considering their operational needs and dignity. “The uniform itself emerged from consultation with police officers and with the Kenyan public,” he said.

He acknowledged that a uniform by itself could not change the police service, but argued that it plays a role in building a more professional force. “A uniform alone cannot transform policing, but professional identity and pride are part of building a modern, disciplined, and effective police service,” Ruto said. The President also appeared to welcome scrutiny of the wider police reform programme, saying public resources must be properly accounted for.

“And because this entire reform program is undertaken in the public interest and financed with public resources, every aspect of it must withstand scrutiny,” Ruto said. “We welcome scrutiny of every decision and every shilling spent.” Ruto said Kenyans should ask questions about government decisions but warned against condemning individuals without evidence. “We must demand answers without prejudice, question decisions without condemning people unheard, and expose wrongdoing wherever it exists,” he said.

“Honest scrutiny strengthens institutions, safeguards public resources, and serves the greater public interest.” Ruto said the uniform changes are only one part of a much wider programme covering police pay, welfare, housing, training, equipment, technology and infrastructure. He said the government had completed a three-phase salary review that increased the entr… NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 4 – President William Ruto has defended the Government’s decision to introduce new police uniforms, saying the change is part of a wider programme to reform and modernise the National Police Service.

Speaking on Friday during the passing-out parade of Administration Police recruits at the National Police College in Embakasi, President Ruto said the entire police reform programme must be subjected to public scrutiny because it is funded by taxpayers. His remarks come as the new uniform faces questions over its cost and procurement process, with critics questioning whether changing the attire should be a priority at a time when the police service continues to face concerns over accountability and allegations of abuses. “Because this entire police reform programme is undertaken in the public interest and financed with public resources, every aspect of it must withstand scrutiny.