CS Matiang'i Says No to Imported New Police Uniforms, Warns Cartels

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has trashed reports appearing on a section of local press claiming that there is a shortage of fabric used to make new Kenya police uniforms.

In a report on Tuesday, the Standard claimed that police chiefs have been unable to secure a suitable material for the new Persian blue uniforms unveiled by President Kenyatta a few weeks ago and whose official launch was supposed to be during this year's Jamhuri Day Celebrations on December 12th.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, CS Matiang'i has dispelled the claims, stating that the government has already paid local manufacturers to produce the new uniforms.

Matiang'i has accused cartels of selling the narrative in order for them to get the opportunity to import the uniforms from overseas and pocket millions of shillings in the process.

"What is happening here is that some people have put us under pressure that we should import police uniform..."

“Listen to me very carefully; we will not import police uniform from any country. We must protect and promote the local textile industry. Buy Kenya build Kenya. No amount of pressure and manipulation will change that position,” he vows.

“You know, this monkey business that has been going on for some time must stop. Isn’t simply outrageous that someone is saying we don’t have material in Kenya with the kind of textile industry we have?” he poses.

The National Youth Service (NYS) has been given the contract to make more than 90,000 pieces of the uniform.

“People should stop being mischievous,” Matiang'i notes.