President William Ruto says the government has spent Sh21 billion out of the Sh30 billion allocated to modernise the National Police Service. Ruto made the announcement on Friday, September 18, while presiding over the 50th General Service Unit (GSU) recruits’ Passing-Out Parade at the National Police College, Embakasi ‘B’ Campus in Utawala, Nairobi. The President said the investment was intended to improve the capacity of police officers by providing modern equipment, technology and other operational capabilities.

“We have invested Ksh21 billion of the Ksh30 billion earmarked to modernise our police service, equipping our officers with the tools, technology and capabilities they need to protect citizens and safeguard Kenya,” Ruto said.

The ceremony marked the completion of training for 1,273 newly trained GSU officers, who are expected to be deployed to different parts of the country. The recruits underwent specialised training, including physical and tactical exercises, at the GSU training facility in Magadi, Kajiado County. Ruto also used the ceremony to outline other measures targeting the welfare and working conditions of police officers. According to reports from the event, the government is developing a pipeline of 137 housing projects comprising 28,000 units for police officers. The President also highlighted changes to police remuneration, healthcare and training as part of wider reforms affecting the service. The President said modern equipment was necessary to ensure officers are able to respond to current security challenges.

“A government that asks an officer to confront an armed terrorist cannot send that officer into danger inadequately equipped,” Ruto said.

The administration has previously linked police modernisation to recommendations contained in the National Taskforce on Police Reforms report. On August 28, Ruto said the government was implementing the recommendations, including measures on police remuneration, housing, healthcare, equipment and career progression. The President also urged the newly trained officers to remain professional and impartial as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election. He said the police would have a responsibility to protect citizens’ constitutional rights and maintain security during political activities.

“Political competition will intensify, parties will organise, candidates will campaign, and citizens will assemble. The duty of the police is to secure this democratic space impartially,” Ruto said.

He further urged the officers to serve without fear, favour or prejudice and to remain faithful to the Constitution. The latest spending figure places the government at 70 per cent of the stated Sh30 billion modernisation allocation, based on the amount cited by the President. The reforms are expected to cover various aspects of policing, including equipment, technology, training, infrastructure and officers’ welfare as the National Police Service prepares for emerging security demands and the 2027 electoral period.