The National Police Service (NPS) has strongly denied claims linking Nalitex Limited to the procurement and manufacture of the new Kenya Police Service General Duty uniforms, describing the association as false and malicious.
In a statement issued on Sunday, August 30, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said Nalitex Limited did not feature at any stage of the development, selection, procurement or manufacture of the new police uniforms.
Instead, the police service said the contract was lawfully awarded to Bedi Investments Limited following a process involving the development of uniform standards, submission of samples by local textile manufacturers, evaluation and public participation.
“The NPS is particularly concerned that the media reports have introduced an entity referred to as Nalitex Limited into the procurement and manufacture of the new police uniform, yet the said entity does not feature anywhere in the NPS process relating to its development, selection, procurement or manufacture,” the statement said.
The police said the decision to replace the General Duty uniform was part of wider reforms recommended by the Maraga Task Force on Police Reforms, chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga.
According to NPS, police officers consulted during the reform process expressed dissatisfaction with the existing uniform and supported a return to previous uniform colours.
The Kenya Police Service Uniform Committee subsequently worked with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to develop standards for the new attire.
As part of the government’s Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative, NPS said four local textile manufacturers with previous experience in supplying police uniform materials were invited to submit samples.
The firms were Bedi Investments Limited, Rivatex East Africa Limited, Thika Textile Mills Limited and Sunflag Textiles & Knitwear Mills.
However, only Bedi Investments Limited and Rivatex East Africa Limited submitted samples within the stipulated period, according to the police.
“Following evaluation and public participation, the sample manufactured by M/s Bedi Investments Limited was adopted and approved through the relevant security structures,” NPS said.
The subsequent procurement, the service added, was conducted in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, and applicable regulations, leading to Bedi Investments Limited being awarded the contract to manufacture and stitch the new General Duty uniforms.
NPS categorically denied that Nalitex Limited was involved in any capacity, saying the company neither participated in the procurement process nor received a contract, subcontract or purchase order from the service.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the entity referred to in the media reports as Nalitex Limited did not participate at any stage of the procurement process; was neither awarded the contract nor engaged as a subcontractor; and has received no purchase order or payment from the NPS,” the statement said.
The police service said while it welcomed legitimate media and public scrutiny over the use of public resources, such reporting should be based on accurate and verifiable information.
“The NPS remains committed to implementing the wider police reform programme and to transparency, accountability and the responsible use of public resources,” Nyaga said.
