'Bunduki yako ni ya kulinda maisha, sio kuchukua maisha,' President Kenyatta tells GSU graduands

President Uhuru Kenyatta has condemned the recent acts of violence by a few police officers witnessed in the country.

Speaking during the General Service Unit (GSU) officers passing out parade at Embakasi on Wednesday, President Kenyatta advised officers to seek alternative conflict resolution ways instead of resorting to violence.

The Head of State cautioned the now commissioned GSU officers against using authorized weapons against civilians who they are bound by law to protect.

“Hakuna haja saa zingine ya kufanya vitendo ambavyo tunaona. Bunduki yako ni ya kulinda maisha sio ya kuchukua maisha,” he stated.

While acknowledging the current upsurge of mental health concerns in the country, the president advised the affected officers to consider sharing their frustrations with either their peers, workmates, superiors, or family members in order to avoid escalating.

“Ni taabu ambayo tunataka kushughulikia kama serikali lakini haswa kwenu nyinyi, nawasihi, ukiona uko na shida; iwe ni shida ya kinyumbani, iwe ni shida ya kikazi, tafuta mwenzako, tafuta officer mkubwa wako au utafute family member wako muongee naye na utapata suluhu ya shida yako,” he advised.

President Kenyatta vowed that his government would work to ensure that stakeholders actively participate to help those suffering from mental health issues to curb the rising cases of homicides.

“There is nothing that cannot be resolved. We have this problem and it is part of us, and it is not only amongst you, it is amongst many Kenyans today. But we can address it and we are ready to work together with you,” said president Kenyatta.

He thus implored the officers to come out and seek solutions from the laid-out institutions to help address the disputes.  

“Please just step forward, there is no shame in it and we can find solutions, we can help you solve your problems and become a better officer going forward,” promised the Commander-in-Chief.

This comes barely a day after a rogue police officer went on a shooting spree killing five people before taking his own life in Kabete, Kiambu County.