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Nairobi, May 29, 2009

President Mwai Kibaki inspects a parade of GSU recruits during their pass-out at the GSU Training School in Embakasi, Nairobi.

President Mwai Kibaki has today directed the police force to deal firmly with criminals within the provisions of the country’s laws.

Speaking today during the passing out parade for General Service Unit (GSU) recruits at GSU Training School in Embakasi, President Kibaki asked the police to ensure that law and order is maintained throughout the country.

The President stated that police officers are also charged with the responsibility of preventing and detecting crime as well as protecting lives and property in every corner of the country.

The Head of State said, “We must be a nation where people observe the rule of law. We must be a nation where our people observe the rule of law.”

“We must also be a people who respect the sanctity of human life and appreciate the right of every individual to own property, work or live in any part of the country. We must also be people who do not destroy public property in the name of protests,” the President added.

President Kibaki said the Government was equally keen on implementing comprehensive reforms intended to strengthen the country’s security apparatus.

Said the President, “Particular emphasis has been placed on providing adequate resources for accelerated improvement of police welfare through adequate remuneration, decent housing, continuous training, promotion based on merit, effective communication as well as improved transport and other relevant infrastructure critical for effective performance of your work.”

President Kibaki applauded the police for their service and sacrifice for welfare of the nation and urged them to rededicate themselves in their central role of upholding national security.

“I commend the police for the service they continue to render and encourage you to work even harder because you play a critical role in safeguarding our people, their property, and their right to live and work in an orderly society within the rule of law,” said the President.

He further reaffirmed the Government’s commitment in supporting the entire police fraternity in achieving their mandate through provision of adequate resources and acquisition of modern equipment.

The President underscored the need for police officers to uphold regular training to equip themselves with requisite skills to tackle sophisticated criminals activities brought about by technological advancement in the modern society.

The Head of State noted that the current security challenges facing the country such as criminal and commercial cattle rustling gangs must be stamped out without mercy.

“It is, therefore, important that officers keep abreast with emerging trends of crime. This underscores the need for continuous training in order to equip our officers with the tools needed to ensure the security of our nation,” the President observed.

President Kibaki further asked the police officers to protect the image of the police service to inspire public confidence while in the line of duty as outlined in the community policing initiative.

The President noted that members of the public were privy to crucial information on security which could be of great help in apprehension of criminals as well as detection and prevention of crime.

He said, “In the meantime, and to further improve policing, I urge members of our police service to increasingly partner with the public in the spirit of community policing.”

The Head of State expressed confidence that the broad training received by the recruits would enable them meet the challenges of modern day policing.

“I am confident that you will offer professional services to the nation without fear, favour or bias. I call upon you to uphold the highest degree of professionalism, integrity and discipline,” said the President.

President Kibaki congratulated the 1299 recruits who graduated on completing the rigorous paramilitary training and urged them to devote the acquired skills to serving their motherland.

Internal Security Minister Prof. George Saitoti said following the appointment of the National Taskforce on Police Reforms by the President, his ministry will fasttrack the reforms to make the police more effective and ethical in preventing crime and protecting life and property.

“Such a police force will facilitate the creation of an enabling and secure working environment and thus make this country a destination of choice for investments and tourism,” Prof. Saitoti said.

On operational reforms, the Internal Security Minister said his ministry has accelerated the double recruitment programme in order to continue improving the ratio of police to the general population.