The National Police Service (NPS) is in Mombasa to conduct the public participation exercise on the proposed general duty uniform for Kenya Police Service officers.
Led by the Director of Logistics at the NPS, Peter Ndung’u, public participation in the selection process for the proposed Kenya Police Service uniform committee has drawn officers and members of the public from all six counties in the region to give their views on the change in attire.
Speaking during the exercise at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) on Monday, Ndung’u said that NPS has given the prerogative to the citizens to deliberate and select the kind of dress they would prefer to be in use in the service.
He said his committee has taken into account all the diverse views raised by officers and members of the public alike, and at the end of the exercise, the committee will go with what the majority has suggested.
“We have drawn officers and members of the public from the region through the participation process, and their views will be taken into account and shall be among the recommendations in the final report to be presented to the Inspector General,” said Ndung’u.
He also added that most of the proposals that the committee collected from the engagement in Mombasa mirror many from other regions, with many participants suggesting minor changes to the insignia or alteration of the design.
On their part, members of the public in attendance welcomed the move by the NPS to involve them in the selection process.
Timothy Omuga, a community policing member from Inuka Police Station in Likoni sub-county, said community policing members have taken the forefront in the exercise as they work closely with the NPS.
He said it was a noble move to include them as they form part of the structure that is responsible for safeguarding the community from the grassroots, and proper identification of officers will be enhanced with the correct uniform.
“Proper uniform for our officers is very important, as it will easily identify them when on duty. The committee should prioritise key features like the name tags to uniquely identify our officers,” he said.
The public’s participation in the selection process for the proposed Kenya Police Service uniform committee will present its final report to the police reforms committee chaired by the immediate former Chief Justice (CJ) David Maraga.
By Andrew Hinga
