Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has dismissed the notions that the new police uniforms will be imported from other countries. The new blue police unforms were unveiled months ago by President Uhuru Kenyatta, along with a raft of reforms targeting the police service. After just three months since it was unveiled, reports have circulated that the fabric for the new uniform isn’t available, and CS Matiang’i has affirmed he won’t import any uniform and that they are already paid for. He said he, together with Police IG Joseph Boinnet and Interior PS Karanja Kibicho have been pressured to import the uniforms.
Speaking to the press after a meeting with National Assembly’s Parliamentary Caucus, the Interior CS further said the local industry must be promoted, “We have to promote the local textile industry, buy Kenya build Kenya. How are we going to support the cotton farmers? How are we going to support manufacturers and create jobs in the country?” he posed. He said it’s outrageous for anyone to say we don’t have the fabric required in Kenya, with the kind of textile sector the country has. He stated that the government has already paid the required amount of money to ensure the uniforms are made and no amount of manipulation will change that position.
He revealed that tailors at the National Youth Service are already at work, “We have 600 tailors at NYS and huge teams at NYS that are working on this.” The support for the manufacturing sector is vital, as it’s the main beneficiary of the initiative, and the CS noted the private sector gets the outlined concept of supporting the sector pretty well.