NPS Breaks Silence On Controversial New Police Uniform Tender Scandal
The National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed media reports linking Nalitex Limited to the procurement and manufacture of the new Kenya Police Service General Duty uniform.
NPS said Nalitex Limited did not feature in any part of the process relating to the development, selection, procurement or manufacture of the new police uniform.
According to NPS Director of Corporate Communication and Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the uniforms are being manufactured by Bedi Investments Limited, which was lawfully awarded the contract by the Service.
Nyaga said the decision to change the General Duty uniform preceded the procurement process and formed part of the wider police reform programme considered by the Maraga Task Force on Police Reforms, chaired by Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga.
According to Nyaga, police officers expressed dissatisfaction with the existing uniform during consultations and preferred a change.
The task force subsequently recommended reverting to the previous uniform colours.
βThe change was therefore neither sudden nor arbitrary, but one of several measures arising from the broader police reform process,β Nyaga said.
Following the reform process, the Kenya Police Service Uniform Committee worked with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to develop standards for the new uniform.
Nyaga claimed four Kenyan textile manufacturers with previous experience supplying police uniform material were invited to submit samples as part of efforts to support local manufacturing under the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative.
According to Nyaga, the manufacturers were Bedi Investments Limited, Rivatex East Africa Limited, Thika Textile Mills Limited and Sunflag Textiles & Knitwear Mills.
“Only Bedi Investments and Rivatex submitted samples within the stipulated period,” Nyaga claimed.
Following evaluation and public participation, the sample manufactured by Bedi Investments was adopted and approved through the relevant security structures.
“The subsequent procurement was undertaken in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, applicable regulations and procedures,” he said.
- Amnesty International Issues Demands To Ruto On 18 Missing Persons During Recent Protests
- NPS Breaks Silence On Controversial New Police Uniform Tender Scandal
- Nairobi Estates Hit By Power Blackout As Kenya Power Reveals Cause
- Fresh Update On Dr Mutiso’s Murder As DCI Confirms Another Police Officer Arrested In Uganda
- “It Was An Assassination Attempt!” – Orengo Says After Attack On His Official Vehicle
Bedi Investments was subsequently awarded the contract to manufacture and stitch the new General Duty uniforms.
Nyaga said Nalitex Limited did not participate at any stage of the procurement process, was neither awarded the contract nor engaged as a subcontractor, and had not received any purchase order or payment from the Service.
βFor the avoidance of doubt, the entity referred to in the media reports as Nalitex Limited did not participate at any stage of the procurement process; was neither awarded the contract nor engaged as a subcontractor; and has received no purchase order or payment from the NPS,β Nyaga said.
Nyaga said the NPS welcomes media and public scrutiny of the use of public resources but insisted that such scrutiny should be based on complete, accurate and verifiable facts.
He described the association of Nalitex Limited with the procurement as βfalse and maliciousβ.
Nyaga said the NPS remains committed to implementing the wider police reform programme and to transparency, accountability and responsible use of public resources.
NPS Breaks Silence On Controversial New Police Uniform Tender Scandal
