The National Police Service (NPS) has strongly criticised the Standard Media Group, accusing the outlet of misleading Kenyans about payments to police officers who were deployed during the recently concluded African Nations Championships (CHAN).
In a statement issued on Saturday, October 4, NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga condemned the Standard over its headline, “Lagat’s Fresh Storm”, which claimed that Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat was facing backlash from within the service over alleged missing allowances running into millions.
According to the newspaper, junior officers were unhappy after money meant to compensate them for CHAN duties allegedly disappeared under Lagat’s watch.
The Standard also implied that Lagat was already under scrutiny due to a separate case linking him to the murder of teacher Albert Ojwang, suggesting that he was now embroiled in a new scandal.
The article included an undated photo of Lagat at a past official event, further fuelling public attention.
However, the NPS dismissed the report as sensational, inaccurate, and unfair. The service said the headline and claims amounted to twisting facts and spreading misinformation intended to damage Lagat’s reputation.
Nyaga stressed that the story was not only misleading but also amounted to a personal attack and character assassination targeting the Deputy Inspector General.
To set the record straight, the NPS explained that 2,986 officers were initially assigned to provide security during the CHAN tournaments held at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums. But due to emerging security concerns and increased operational demands, that number was significantly increased to about 8,546 officers.
The police service further noted that the Standard ignored critical logistical issues that come with such a deployment. These include fuel for police vehicles, daily subsistence allowances for officers coming from outside Nairobi, and catering costs for personnel on duty.
“The so-called exposé failed to mention vital logistical matters such as vehicle fuel, catering needs, and allowances for officers who were deployed from other regions,” NPS clarified.
The service insisted that the claims published by the media house were distorted and bordered on misinformation meant to cast Lagat in a negative light.
“The alleged facts reported are distortions that border on misinformation, constituting personal attacks and character assassination against the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service,” the statement added.
The NPS also cautioned the Standard Media Group against continuing with such reporting, warning that spreading false or unverified allegations could trigger serious consequences.
According to spokesperson Nyaga, the police service may pursue civil action, including legal measures, if such claims continue.
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