A section of Nyeri residents has backed a proposal for the return of the signature white shirt that police women used to don before the introduction of the current uniform in 2018.
While endorsing the return of the sky-blue colored uniform for the servicemen, the residents have said that female officers used to look polished in their white blouses and their matching navy-blue trousers compared to their current all Persian blue regalia.
“I welcome the decision to bring back the sky-blue uniform because the fabric is not readily available in the market making it inimitable unlike the current one. However, instead of having a uniform shirt colour for both male and female officers, police women should wear white blouses like they previously did,” said Ann Munene.
The residents have additionally recommended the return of the steel-toe cap safety boots popularly known as Mars which they say used to last longer than the current design.
The boot has a shiny toe and heel cap with a ribbed exterior.
“Apart from the uniform, they should consider bringing back the old police boots that we used to refer to as ‘Mars’ which would go for several years without wearing out. I am proposing that the service would consider reintroducing these shoes so that our officers look presentable,” said Nguyo Kariithi, a retired police officer.
Speaking during a public participation forum organized by the National Police Service (NPS) to collect the views on the new police uniform, the residents have also proposed a change in the ranking of police commissioners as well as change in badges of ranks to match the new uniform.
“Badges of ranks are also part of the uniform. The two-line badges are too monotonous. I would propose that when it comes to the Inspector General, he wears the court of arms, a lion badge which should be different from his deputies and, he should also wear a military star,” said Simon Kariuki, a retired Assistant Police Commander.
The public participation sessions started on Tuesday this week as the government commenced the process of phasing out the current all Persian blue uniform.
In Nyeri, retired police officers, chiefs, community policing representatives and members of the public participated in the session at the Ruring’u Police Training College with a majority of them lauding the decision by National Police Service (NPS) to engage the public in the uniform selection process.
“The current uniform was rejected because the government arbitrarily changed the uniform without consulting the members of the public. Our prayer is that the government ensures that the tender to supply this new uniform will be awarded to a trustworthy person who will deliver durable and quality uniforms for our officers,” said James Thanju.
The public participation process is complete and views tabled to the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome by September 7, 2023. According to NPS Director of Logistics, Assistant Inspector General Peter Ndung’u, introduction of the new uniform will commence immediately after the public participation sessions in all eight regions of the country. He said the sessions had equally exposed the need for the NPS to rope in its officers in the decision-making process.
“This is the first time that officers have been engaged in public participation. From the cordial discussion that we have had, the mood is that they want to change from the current uniform they are wearing to the proposed one. Once this exercise is complete, there is nothing else that will derail the implementation,” said Ndung’u.
Members of the public and police officers are expected to choose from four shirt designs consisting of a sky-blue shirt which will be paired with navy blue trousers for both male and female officers.
Additional features on the new uniform include the Kenya Police logo on the left hand and the Kenyan flag on the right. Other distinguishing features of the new shirts that the public will be expected to decide on include the option of having a short-sleeved shirt and a long-sleeved one.
The NPS has also given the option of having plastic buttons or silver buttons on the shirt. Another distinguishing factor is, in one of the designs, the name of the police officer is permanently sawn on the top right breast pocket, while in the second design, both the name “Kenya Police Service” are sawn on the left breast pocket. In the third design, only the name of the officer is permanently sawn on the right-side pocket while the fourth sample, is a plain long-sleeved shirt.
On Thursday (today) officers from Nyeri, Kiambu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Kiambu will converge at the Kiganjo Training College to give their views on the proposed uniform.
By Wangari Mwangi and Samuel Maina
