Police officers on horseback at the Kenya vs DR Congo match.©CGTN Africa.

Police have dismissed claims of CHAN allowance mismanagement, calling reports false, misleading, and aimed at tarnishing Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.

The National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed reports by a local publication and a TV station linking Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat to alleged mismanagement of allowances meant for officers who provided security during the recently concluded CHAN tournament.

In a statement released on Saturday, October 4, the NPS described the reports as “misleading, sensationalist, and dangerously irresponsible,” insisting that the claims are inaccurate and amount to “character assassination” against the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service (DIG-KPS).

According to the NPS, the reports failed to reflect the complexity and scale of the security operations that took place during the month-long tournament, which attracted huge crowds at Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums. The Service said thousands of officers were deployed across different venues to ensure safety and order throughout the event.

“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 statement read in part.

The Service explained that 2,986 officers were initially deployed to secure the CHAN games, but due to emerging security concerns, the number was nearly tripled to about 8,546 police officers.

“The purported claims also fail 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 outlets to consider before publishing,” the Service noted.

PRESS STATEMENT : CLARIFICATION ON A SENSATIONALIST NEWSPAPER HEADLINE pic.twitter.com/6s9f9QJOO9

The NPS emphasized that all funds for allowances were handled transparently and in line with government financial procedures. It further cautioned those spreading false information to verify facts before making public statements, warning that such misinformation could attract legal or civil consequences.

Documents seen by KTN News indicated that KSh 11 million was allocated for officers’ allowances during the tournament. Senior officers such as the Director of Operations were to earn KSh 258,000 for the 28-day duty, while Police Constables were to receive KSh 3,465 daily, totaling about KSh 97,000.

Some officers have, however, raised concerns about delays in payment, with a few claiming that they received a flat rate of KSh 10,000. 

In response, the NPS explained that administrative delays may have been experienced due to the high number of officers deployed and the scale of coordination required between different units.

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

The NPS reaffirmed its commitment to upholding financial integrity, ensuring officers’ welfare, and maintaining professionalism across all its operations.