Kibaki: Govt to be firm on election offences

Kibaki: Govt to be firm on election offences Written By:PPS,    Posted: Fri, Aug 31, 2012

President Kibaki was speaking during the pass-out parade for Administration Police recruits in Embakasi (File) President Mwai Kibaki Friday directed police to deal firmly with anybody found to be inciting Kenyans to violence as the country prepares for the general elections. The President told police to be alert and carry out thorough investigations to ensure that individuals found engaging in criminal activities face the full force of the law irrespective of their status in society. Similarly, the President impressed on the police force to embrace the concept of partnerships with Kenyans to boost the fight against election related offences. The Head of State therefore exhorted Kenyans to shun negative ethnicity and co-exist harmoniously with their neighbors. President Kibaki was speaking during the pass-out parade for 3,900Administration Police recruits who have completed 15 month training at the Administration Police Training College (APTC) in Embakasi. Saying Kenya was ultimately greater than any individual, the Head of State particularly called on the security agencies to be on the alert to inter-communal hostilities that may lead to violence. President Kibaki observed that the numerous security challenges faced by the country both from within and outside the country could be effectively confronted by the government with support of Kenyans. On police reforms, the President said the Government has allocated adequate funds to address the welfare needs of police officers in line with the recommendations of the National Task Force on Police Reforms. Additionally, President Kibaki said the Government has set aside further resources to build the operational and logistical capacity of the security agencies to enable then execute their mandate. Besides Police welfare, the Head of State stated that a wide range of reform initiatives are being undertaken to transform the security organs into professional, accountable and well-resourced agencies that can effectively deliver on their mandate. He said key policy legislations have been finalized and rolled out to provide a strong legal framework that entrenches professionalism, police accountability and strong community-police partnership in the country. The President called for fast tracking of the remaining reform activities to ensure the objectives of the ongoing reforms are realized. On that note, President Kibaki urged the Ministry of Provincial Administration and Internal Security to develop the necessary mechanisms to operationalize all the relevant provisions of the Constitution and security sector-related legislations. As part of the ongoing police reforms, the President said the government also introduced a new training curriculum for security officers. The curriculum, President Kibaki noted, equips officers with new skills that are critical in modern policing. Alongside the ongoing police reforms, President Kibaki said, the government is set to recruit an additional 7,000 officers into the Kenya Police and the Administration Police services to boost security and increase the police - population ratio. Already the government has trained 7,000 new officers who include 1,580officers that graduated in Kiganjo last week, the 3,900 Administration Police recruits passing out and an additional batch of security personnel expected to join the General Service Unit early next month. "Your recruitment is part of the Government efforts to increase the police- population ratio in order to enhance security services in the country", president Kibaki told the graduating recruits. On that note, the Head of State assured Kenyans that police recruitments will be conducted in a transparent and accountable manner to ensure that only Kenyans qualified are accorded the opportunity to join the National Police Service. The President challenged officers who have undergone training under the restructured curriculum to be the agents of change that Kenyans desire to see in the police service. President Kibaki commended the outgoing AP Commandant Kinuthia Mbugua for instilling discipline and professionalism in the Administration Police force and challenged the successor to emulate him. The Head of State wished Mbugua well in his future endeavors. He also congratulated the recruits for their hard work which has enabled them complete the training and appealed to them to maintain high standards of professional excellence, integrity and discipline in discharging their duties. In his address, Defense minister who the acting Minister for Provincial Administration and Internal Security Mr. Mohamed Yusuf Haji echoed President Kibaki's sentiments saying the outgoing Commandant played a key role in shaping a professional AP force. The Minister said the government is organizing a national security forum involving all actors to discuss the security challenges facing the country, evaluate and review the country's security preparedness. Appealed to Kenyans to abide by the rule of law, Haji called on all key players in the management of the country's security to work as a team and embrace consultation and cooperation in the fight against crime. Among the graduands were 248 University graduates. In attendance were Cabinet Ministers Naomi Shaaban and Jamleck Kamau, Assistant Minister Ferdinand Waititu, nominated MP Maison Leshomo, acting Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Francis Kimemia and Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere among senior government officials.