The government is saving Sh700 million by making the new police uniforms locally, Interior cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has confirmed.
According to the CS, the government is keen in supporting Kenya’s economy.
“It is foolishness to spend our resources to import things we can get here in Kenya,” Matiang’i said.
Speaking on Monday at the NYS camp, where the new police uniforms are being made, Dr Matiang’i urged other ministries to follow suit.
“I am happy and proud to be a Kenyan and we are supporting our own. The money we use for these goods and services is not our money… isn’t it wise to support local content?” he posed.
“Those who told us senseless stories about Kenya not having the materials should come and see what we are seeing here.”
He reiterated that the exercise will be tracked to ensure government resources are put into proper use.
“This is so that we support our economy…we have taken this decision and we are working on this… we will create a system to track this.. you can not do it theoretically but practically,” he said.
Reports from the ongoing exercise indicate that the NYS makes 1000 uniforms a day.
Dr Matiangi’s sentiments comes nearly a year after he declared that the government will not import police uniforms.
Read:Uhuru Unveils New Police Command Structure, Police Line Housing Abolished
The CS was reacting to reports that there was a general shortage for the specific fabric for the police uniform.
“I have seen some comments that are very shameful! We have no problem providing our police with uniforms. Actually, we have paid for the new uniforms and they are being done,” Matiang’i said.
Last year, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the police uniform would be changed from Navy blue and jungle green colors to persian blue, for “more visibility”.
He made the remarks at the Kenya School of Government while presiding over the opening of National Security Conference.
During the event, the President also unveiled new police command structure as well as housing allowance for junior officers.
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