Remarks · 23 February 2023
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS; OFFICERS; Good Morning;
We have assembled here today to mark a tremendous milestone in the transformation of the Kenya National Police Service. We are all used to the Service’s motto, “Utumishi Kwa Wote: Service to All”, which has been the yardstick of our expectations for six decades.
We always evaluate the performance of the police in terms of the extent to which citizen expectations have been met and the degree of bravery, selflessness, gallantry, integrity and responsiveness shown by its members.
It has been generally accepted in the past that the police service must perform to the highest standards under the greatest hardship and this has fostered a high expectation mindset complemented by a philosophy of neglect. The difficulty experienced by members in delivering to these high standards has always been attributed to rampant corruption and a runaway culture of impunity.
Those days are now firmly in the past, and that improvident ideology has been retired. The government fully recognizes the National Police Service as a critical institution that is indispensable to peace, security, law and order which, in turn, are necessary conditions for all human endeavour, including the pursuit of sustainable development and shared prosperity.
For this reason, the government recognizes that for the police service to live up to its constitutional mandate, it must be adequately facilitated through sufficient resources and other forms of support.
This support entails recognizing that the national police service is made up of individual professionals with basic human needs, who are entitled to motivation, guidance, training and education as well as health and psychosocial support in order to attain the highest standards of professionalism and discipline.
In fact, the National Police Service is obligated under the constitution to train officers to the highest possible standards of competence and integrity and to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and dignity. It is also mandated to foster and promote relationships with the broader society.
It is clear, therefore, that our high expectations of members of the police service must be accompanied by adequate facilitation to enable them perform according to the best standard.
In recognition of this reciprocal obligation, the government is committed to guarantee the institutional independence of the service by honouring its financial autonomy. That is why I executed the instrument that designated the Inspector-General as the accounting officer of the Service.
The government has also invested in a comprehensive medical insurance scheme to cover the provision of high quality medical services to members and their families. The services extend to the provision of mental health services.
In addition, I recently presided over the inauguration of the National Police Leadership Academy, which will inculcate the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability, respect for fundamental rights and freedoms and the observance of the highest constitutional standards.
The government is also investing in the National Forensics Laboratory to enable specialist detectives solve complex investigations and support prosecution with strong evidence.
As I speak to you, the Police and Prisons Services Reforms Task Force is busy at work, interrogating a broad range of issues affecting service delivery, including the terms and conditions of officers. Even as we make progress in enhancing our support for members of the service, we are also waiting to implement recommendations of the Task Force to take the National Police Service to the next level.
I am highly encouraged by what I have seen on my tour of the facilities completed or under development here. They are magnificent symbols of Kenya’s commitment of a police service of our time, that is professional and adequately empowered to give Kenyans the best.
The Border Police Training Campus – Kanyonyoo, is a diverse infrastructural complex and a fine monument to our aspiration to enhance peace, security, law and order by providing members with the best facilities to unlock their highest level of professional performance for the benefit of Kenyans.
The Border Police Hospital, a 130-bed Level 4 facility, will offer specialized medical services, including critical care, to police officers, their families and also members of the public.
From time to time, police officers have to embrace the risk of fatal or life-threatening injury as well as highly stressful and traumatic conditions in the course of serving and protecting the people. This hospital demonstrates that we have come of age and are willing to acknowledge, embrace and take measures to rehabilitate those affected by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as combat trauma.
The Kanyonyoo Sports Complex, which is still under construction, represents our commitment to the holistic health and well-being of members by providing leisure and recreation facilities, which not only enhance physical fitness and nurtures athletic and sporting talent, but also gives a positive psychosocial intervention.
It is therefore important that the Inspector-General considers ways and means of actualising the promise of this complex by ensuring that the service employs sufficient specialist medical professionals.
The Border Police Airstrip is critical to police work for logistical and operational support as well as emergency transport to evacuate casualties, insert and extract deployed tactical units and supply essentials. This form of support is essential for officers working in difficult, distant and volatile areas and can make the difference between success and failure.
For this reason, it is important that the airstrip is completed in time.
I commend the County Government of Kitui for embracing and supporting the development of this campus.
I also thank all the partners, local and international, for various forms of support to the Border Police Unit. The US Embassy, in particular, has provided Mobile Field Hospitals , which have served 4,000 people in Kitui and Lamu counties.
I salute the National Police Service for undertaking diverse initiatives and building positive relationships with the local community. Provision of medical services to the public and medical clinics to the locals as well as the sharing of the sports facilities with the local population, demonstrates that the Service is alive to Article 244 ( e ) of the constitution, which calls for fostering and promoting relationships with the society.
I appreciate the fact that the National Police Service is taking advantage of its institutional autonomy to radically improve its professional standards and service delivery, while building strong relationships with the public. We are advancing rapidly towards the police service envisaged by Kenyans in the constitution.
I also appreciate with gratitude the indispensable role played by our officers and honour the sacrifices of those who have paid a high price in order to keep criminals at bay and keep us safe.
We will always remember with humility, gratitude and admiration the ultimate sacrifice of those officers who lost their lives in line of duty and for the sake of their departed souls, will do everything within our power to enhance the welfare and terms of service of members.
I also recognize the bravery of our Border Police Unit and members of specialized teams, including the Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Advanced Tactical Operations Urban Rural formation (ATOUR), who continue their admirable work of defending key national interests.
The government takes the security of the nation and every citizen quite seriously. We therefore commit to raise the institutional, professional and operational capacity of the service equally seriously. We shall sustain our endeavour to complete the turn-around of the National Police Service for the benefit of all people. The Border Police Unit Hospital is now officially opened. Thank you very much. May God bless you.