Barely hours after President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the new police reforms, he has explained to Kenyans why they are important.

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In a tweet, the President maintained that police reforms are “aimed at making the police a service that is respected rather than a force that is feared.”

The President on Thursday announced that his government will start providing a housing allowance to all police officers to help them get out of deplorable houses and rent their own.

This, he said, will help them integrate with the society.

In the new police reforms, Kenya Police and the Kenya Administration Police (AP) were merged.

He also unified the police command system where each sub-county will now have a sub-county Police Commander. Uhuru also unveiled the new police uniform that has caused a stir online. 

Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen lauded the President noting  the police reforms are geared toward making the police a "service rather than a force against the people."

However, Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo noted that Uhuru is yet to address key concerns raised by those serving in the service.

In a tweet, he stated that the change of uniform and housing allowance will not address all the concerns.