Kibicho Defends New Police Uniform, Tells Off Critics

NAIROBI,Kenya, Jun, 14 – Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho has defended the current police uniform as a carefully considered choice that was endorsed by the relevant government committee. He said the Uniform Committee that has the final word on police uniform approved the blue colour to represent the unified attire following the merger of the Administration Police and the Kenya Police under the Kenya Police Service.

The merger was intended to boost efficiency and optimise resources. He said politicians who are criticising the new uniform were being insincere as they ought to know the circumstances and the process surrounding the adoption of a neutral colour to symbolise the merger and the abandoning of the previous AP and the Kenya Police signature colours.

“Uniforms are not just a matter of colour. They signify certain doctrines that must be appreciated whenever a merger occurs. It is disrespectful for (Mathira MP) Rigathi Gichagua, who as a former government administrator, knows too well the role of the Uniform Committee, to contemptuously dismiss the careful considerations that informed the the new uniform,” the PS said.

While criticising the blue uniform, the MP had also threatened that a new government will withdrawal and donate them to the Presbyterian Church that traditionally kits members of its Women Guild in blue dresses.

But the PS who was speaking on Kameme FM termed the threat an ‘unfortunate disparage’ of the Church and accused the MP of opposing police reforms because the government had used the opportunity to get rid of entrenched cartels that have previously dominated procurement in the police.

He said police uniform are now being wholly made in Kenya by local textiles firms based in Thika, Kitui, Nakuru and Eldoret under a Buy Kenya, Build Kenya government drive that had also significantly cut down costs.

This had enabled the hiring of more officers and the modernisation of police equipment.

“By cutting out the cartels that had infiltrated our police procurement, we have been able to modernise our Service and raise the ratio of police to citizens to 1:380 well beyond the UNrecommended 1:450. We were also used to our officers protecting us with rungus. But we have now made sure our officers have enough guns and other tools of work,” the PS said.

He cited a comprehensive medical and group insurance cover as other key investments undertaken under President Kenyatta administration.

The Police Service now recruits degree holders into its cadet service with the recruits emerging as direct-entry police inspectors.

Said the PS:“We want to professionalise the Police Service so that it stops being a dumping ground for those who fail in exams. We are building a service that will attract some of the best brains in our country.”