NPS hits back at Senator Malala over remarks that police officers do not need education

The National Police Service (NPS) has now hit back at Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala following his remarks about men and women in uniform not necessarily needing higher education.

In a video that has since gone viral, Malala while speaking during a Kenya Kwanza tour of Western Kenya said police officers just need to have “two hands and legs" to handle firearms and do the job.

"Kazi ya askari si nikushika bunduki tu pekee yake? Hio inahitaji masomo yoyote kweli? Kama mtu amemaliza Form Four na alipata C plus, tumpeleke university asome; kazi ya askari ni hawa jamaa ambao wako hapa wenye waliacha shule na hawakufanikiwa kumaliza shule,” Malala said.

NPS Spokesperson Bruno Shioso, in a subsequent response on Wednesday evening, expressed dissension terming Malala’s sentiments as demeaning to the service.

“Attention of the National Police Service has been drawn to remarks made in a public gathering by Cleophas Malala, Senator for Kakamega County whose net upshot is that police officers need not be educated since the entry into the service only requires a candidate with ‘two hands and legs,’ which according to him, is the only requisite qualification to handle firearms,” said Shioso.

“We as NPS fraternity, including our dear families and friends, are utterly disappointed with such unwarranted and outrageous remarks, which we find too demeaning and only aimed at scandalizing a noble profession deployed in the service and good of the public.”

The multi-agency body went further to highlight its displeasure citing the fact that Malala, being a leader, is accorded security by the very people he sought to downplay.

“More disappointed we are as Police, given that these unfortunate remarks were made by a leader we not only hold in high esteem but one we also continue to provide round-the-clock protection with pride and competency,” Shioso noted.

"It is therefore regrettable and a pity that these remarks came from a national leader still aspiring to lead."

Shioso underscored that the police fraternity was dependent on knowledge and that the employment of guns is only a complementary tool to achieve efficiency of service.

“NPS is a professional entity composed of all cadres of Kenyans as envisaged by the Constitution of Kenya in respect to the diversity requirement, and that the service comprises of competent, professional, knowledgeable and highly skilled officers with the right disposition and attitude to police the challenges of the 21st century,” stated the NPS spokesperson.

While lauding officers present at the event for maintaining their calm, Shioso implored on the public to shun such statements by leaders. 

“The Inspector General lauds the officers who covered the event's security for remaining calm and composed despite the grave humiliation that they encountered,” he added.

“NPS takes this opportunity to reassure all officers, including Kenyans of goodwill to ignore such negative sentiments expressed by the Senator, and which are only aimed at causing disaffection amongst officers of a security sector entity, and thus treat them with the utter contempt that they deserve.”