The government has completed construction of 300 new housing units for police officers working in parts of Turkana.

Some of the officers working in Turkana South have already been relocated to the new houses. Rift Valley Deputy Police boss Mark Opiyo says the new housing units was among the reforms being undertaken to improve the living and working conditions of security officers.

"Our officers have been suffering without proper housing units but now they will benefit from these houses which will give them morale to work well,"said Opiyo when he visited Kainuk area where the new project has been put up.

The new housing units will be used by both the regular and administration police units which have been merged under one command. Sources said the police service commission chaired by Johnstonne Kavuludi would soon step up efforts to address the challenges which the officers have been facing in order to improve their service delivery to the public.

Officers working on hardship areas like Turkana, Pokot and Baringo have been demanding an increase in allowances because of the very harsh conditions under which they work.

They have also complained of government's failure to supply food rations, however, the government has improved the situation within most areas in the last two month.

"There are plans to ensure that police have most of the needs they require so that they can be more effective in providing good security to Kenyans,"said Opiyo.

Most of the new police stations also lack water and electricity supply. Within the arid counties, the government has deployed additional officers to help deal with cattle rustling incidents. The government has also recruited more police reservists to help the regular police tackle insecurity.

Source : allafrica.com

Posted on : 30 Nov,-0001