Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna has condemned Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala’s remarks about the police not necessarily needing higher education.
According to Oguna, Malala’s remarks are demeaning to the police service.
“It is sad and quite unfortunate that some of our leaders continue to make statements that not only expose their ignorance, but also to ridicule as section of our society. Quite the opposite values of a leader,” said Oguna in a statement.
“Malala targeted to demean members of the disciplined forces was hugely in a bad state, and is highly regrettable.”
Oguna says the police force should not be judged only on the basis of educational qualifications, claiming that the force is made up of knowledgeable people from different fields.
“He should further be reminded that our disciplined forces have some of the well read individuals in the country, with intellectuals, lawyers, doctors, engineers, PhD holders, surveyors, computer scientists etc,” added Oguna.
This is after the senator on Tuesday during a Kenya Kwanza tour of Western Kenya said police officers just need to have two hands and legs to handle firearms and do the job.
He has however responded to the backlash by apologizing for his comments, claiming that they were taken out of context.
“It is in light of this that I wish to withdraw my remarks and apologize to our disciplined forces for the discomfort my remarks may have caused,” wrote Malala on his facebook page.