The National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed reports alleging financial impropriety involving Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat in the recently concluded Africa Championship (CHAN). NPS termed the claims as “sensationalist, distorted, and bordering on misinformation.”

In a statement on Saturday, NPS described the reports as a deliberate attempt to malign the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and the Service, calling them “personal attacks and character assassination.” It added The Standard erred in its facts and therefore ended up misinforming the public.

“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),” read the statement.

It noted the number of officers deployed to provide security during the recently concluded CHAN games at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums was initially 2,986 but was later increased to 8,546 due to “serious emerging security issues.”

The Service further faulted the publication for ignoring key logistical factors, including fuel, catering, and allowances for officers deployed from outside Nairobi.

“To clarify, the number of officers initially deployed to provide security for the recently concluded CHAN games at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums was 2,986. However, due to serious emerging security issues, this number was nearly tripled to approximately 8,546 police officers,” NPS stated.

“The purported exposé also 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 cautioned that such reporting amounts to negligence and warned that the publication could face civil or legal action.

“Such negligence leaves the publication open to potential civil remedial action and other appropriate legal steps,” the statement warned.

While insisting that the Service remains open to public scrutiny, the NPS reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability in all its operations.

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

The publication on Saturday had claimed that, “DIG now finds himself engulfed in yet another storm — accused of presiding over the disappearance of millions meant for officers who secured the CHAN tournament.”