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Youth service graduates now qualified AP officers
Administration Police officer Ruth Njeri Kinyanjui,23, [left] and Maryann Mwangi,22 [right] hug each shortly after they graduated at the National Youth Service Training College Gilgil during 49th Passing-Out Parade of Administration Police Recruits on Friday. 3,503 officers graduated during the ceremony which was presided over by president Mwai Kibaki. Photo/ JOSEPH KIHERI
Posted Friday, September 5 2008 at 20:23
The first group of National Youth Service men and women enlisted into the Administration Police Force graduated on Friday at a ceremony presided over by President Kibaki at Gilgil.
The 3,503 recruits, who wore the familiar green NYS uniform when they graduated at the college a few years ago, were a transformed force on Friday when they entered the NYS Training College grounds in AP khaki uniforms.
Instead of the spades they carried when they graduated as NYS servicemen and women, the recruits were on Friday armed with G3 rifles, complete with bayonets.
About half of the recruits who underwent the four-month AP training course in Naivasha were qualified mechanics, electricians, drivers and plumbers.
Finalising laws
Administration Police commandant Kinuthia Mbugua said 349 of the recruits were women.
President Kibaki said the Government was committed to finalising laws related to security pending in Parliament.
Among the key ones are the Organised Crime Bill, the Firearms Amendment Bill, Review of the Chief’s Act, the Administration of the Police Act and the Kenya Police Act.
The President said reviews were meant to update the Acts to enable the Government deal more effectively with emerging crime.
“Security is a prerequisite for development and my Government will continue to reform our security services to enhance their capacity to combat crime, which is becoming more sophisticated by the day,” he said.
Past instability
The President said that to supplement the war against insecurity, other measures would be taken, including boosting resources in trouble spots.
He said the recent development towards lasting peace in the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa was encouraging.
“This is more because past instability in these areas has impacted negatively on our country’s security and economic well-being.”
The President, however, said the situation in Somalia remained volatile as different armed factions and negative forces were frustrating efforts being made by the transitional government to unite the country.
President Kibaki said such forces must understand that the only way to peace and prosperity for the Somalis was through dialogue and not arms.
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