The National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed as “misleading, and dangerously irresponsible” an article by The Standard that linked Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat to an alleged scandal involving allowances of police officers who secured the CHAN tournament.

The article had claimed that DIG Lagat is under fire from his juniors, who are accusing him of overseeing the embezzlement of funds meant for their per diem during the month-long football bonanza.

“The NPS wishes to remind the public that 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 (DIG-KPS),” the NPS said in a statement on Saturday, October 4.

According to the Service, the number of officers initially deployed to provide security for the recently concluded CHAN games at Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums was 2,986. However, NPS says this number had to be nearly tripled to approximately 8,546 police officers due to serious emerging security issues.

The NPS now rues that the purported exposé fails to mention essential logistical considerations, such as vehicle fuel, catering for the officers, and the Daily Subsistence Allowance for those deployed from outside the Nairobi Region.

“These facts would have been crucial for the newspaper to consider before publishing,” the NPS notes. “Such negligence leaves the publication open to potential civil remedial action and other appropriate legal steps.”

“As a Service, we remain open to public scrutiny and shall at all times strive to be responsive, transparent, and accountable,” the NPS assures.