DP William Ruto is a man who thrives on government tenders. He wants to be the sole supplier of maize to the NCPB, he wants to supply housing to the police. He wants to supply offices.
But his recent craving for the multi-billion-shilling new police uniform tender has landed him in big trouble with Interior CS Fred Matiang’i who is known to stand his own ground.
Matiang’i is known to be very close to President Uhuru Kenyatta and has his own presidential ambitions.
The DP is reported to have asked the Interior CS to award a tender for the supply of police uniforms to other people, not just the National Youth Service.
Matiang’i stood his ground, insisting yesterday that all uniforms will be made by the NYS, as directed by President Kenyatta.
Without naming names, an angry Matiang’i told off a “politician” who wanted a share in the supply of the multi-million tender to supply fabric for the new blue police uniforms. He was speaking at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development after a meeting with MPs and the boda boda task force.
“The Inspector General of Police, the PS and myself have been under pressure by some quarters, and all manner of thieves, that we should import police uniforms.
“Listen to me very carefully. We will not import police uniforms, go and write another 10 headlines. We will not import police uniforms from any country. We have to promote the local textile industry,” Matiang’i said.
The Standard yesterday reported that police have not been able to get their new uniforms because the fabric is unavailable.
But Matiang’i dismissed the claims, insisting that the government has already paid NYS Rivatex and companies in the Export Processing zones to make the uniforms.
“We will not import police uniforms. No amount of pressure, manipulation or anything will change that position. That style of life has come to an end in Kenya. It has come to an end and no one is going to live that way.
“Sasa wewe na wakora wako mahali mlikubaliana mtanunua uniform mtaenda muwaambie na muwaeleze kwamba hatutanunua uniform kutoka kwingine,” Matiang’i said. This loosely translates to “You and your crooks, wherever you agreed that you will import police uniforms, go back and tell them that we are not importing.”