By allowing the police to wear uniforms that were phased out by the previous administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta four years ago, the administration of President William Ruto has undone yet another key policy decision made by his predecessor.
The original attire was reinstated because the much despised, all-royal blue uniforms were in low supply and of poor quality.
Saturday Nation has also learned of a proposal to mandate the use of body cameras by the police, as well as a redesign of the jail wardens' and police officers' clothing.
Due to an internal decision, general duty Kenya Police Service (KPS) officers would be forced to wear both the old and new uniforms.
It is anticipated that the arrangement of using two sets of uniforms concurrently for general duty assignments would last until a task force on police reforms appointed by President Ruto makes its final recommendations regarding which uniforms will remain in use.
Speaking on behalf of the National Police Service, Dr. Resila Onyango told Saturday Nation that the new instruction was given to address the issue of the new uniforms' unavailability as well as the poor fabric quality.
"There are certain officers that either don't have enough blue uniforms or have faded ones, as you may have noticed on the streets. They can still use the old ones because they still have themWe are wearing them concurrently." . Dr. Resila stated.
Police officers on duty have already been seen wearing the traditional uniforms of white shirts and navy blue pants for male cops and sky blue shirts and navy blue pants for female officers.
Inspector of Police (IP) and higher senior command grades of officers are permitted to wear both the old and new beige uniforms.
Only four years after the previous assessment of police uniforms, the mandate is the most obvious sign yet that another one is imminent.
https://nation.africa/kenya/news/return-of-old-police-uniform-as-president-ruto-stamps-authority-4085902
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