Over 40,000 police officers still don't have new uniforms

Only 25,000 police officers have been issued with a pair of the new persian blue uniform, which is about a quarter of the entire police service.

Each of the officers has two shirts and two trousers but over 40,000 others are yet to receive the new uniform, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i disclosed in a statement to the Senate Security committee on Wednesday.

“We have been able to kit 25,000 officers each getting two shirts and two trousers leaving a deficit of over 40,000 officers without the new medium blue uniform,” Dr Matiang’i said.

The number of those without uniforms could be much higher considering authorities do not disclose actual figures of police officers.

Uniformed officers

A report by the National Police Service last year put the figure of uniformed officers at 106, 000.

On Wednesday, an official of the National Police Service Commission said they are “over 100, 000.”

The CS blamed inadequate resources for the delay.

The statement signed by the CS was in response to a question by Nandi Senator Samson Cheragei on the distribution of the new uniforms.

Mr Cheragei also wanted a list of companies awarded the tender to supply the uniforms.

The questions were prompted by reports that police officers without the new uniform in Nairobi region had been ordered to buy them from local tailors.

The directive had been attributed to the new Regional Commander Rashid Yakub who had reportedly cautioned anyone who reported to work without the new uniform would face disciplinary action. 

Asking local tailors to stitch the uniforms had raised fears that criminals could lay their hands on the gear. 

However, the CS denied those without the new uniform had been directed to purchase their own gear.

“The change over from old uniform to the new one for the general duty officers is gradual due to the limited available resources. In addition to the stitched uniforms, there are other items of kit which are worn to complete the uniform such as footwear, jerseys, berets, badges of ranks, multipurpose belts, among others,” noted Dr Matiang’i in the statement.

Stitching uniforms

The government had initially solely contracted the National Youth Service to make the uniforms.

But this financial year, contracts were awarded to Rivatex East Africa Limited, Bedi Investment Limited and Thika Cloth Mills.

But the senators termed the statement brief and unsatisfactory and resolved to summon Dr Matiangí, Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai and NPSC chair Eliud Kinuthia to respond to the matter.

“We want to find out if there is anything the ministry and the intelligence are doing to ensure that no other person apart from those contracted are stitching the uniforms,” said Mr Cherargei.

In the meantime, female officers across the country have been directed to stick to their dress code regulations by the Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr Edward Mbugua.

In a circular dated November 20 and addressed to all regional police commanders, all formations and the directorates at Vigilance house, the officers have been reminded to stick to hair styles that do not exceed the collar of their blouses, fall over ears or forehead below the headband or interfere with the wearing of their official headgear.

The officers were also reminded to ensure that they wear subtle make up, clear nail polish and that all tattoos should be covered. No nail extensions will not be permitted.