Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has thrown his weight behind calls for the introduction of maternity uniforms for expectant female officers and administrators.
Murkomen said it was regrettable that women in uniform are forced to either proceed on leave or wear civilian clothes during pregnancy because the state has not provided them with suitable attire.
“I was shocked to learn that female officers, whether chiefs, assistant county commissioners, county commissioners or police officers, do not have maternity uniforms. When they become expectant, they are told to go on leave or wear civilian clothes. That is unacceptable,” Murkomen said.
The CS who made the remarks in Busia during a Jukwaa la Usalama forum directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to urgently consider designing maternity uniforms for the officers.
His comment was in response to a direct appeal from one of the chiefs present during the meeting.
The administrator had lamented that expectant officers are treated as civilians due to lack of proper attire.
According to Murkomen, addressing the issue is part of ensuring fairness, dignity, and gender balance in the security sector.
He explained that since most women join the service in their late teens or early twenties, it is only natural that many would have children during their careers.
“If you say there will be no maternity dress, why? These officers are employees of the state, and motherhood is part of life,” he added.
"We must address this to balance issues of fairness and dignity."
Murkomen is in the Western region as part of the planned nationwide Jukwaa la Usalama forums aimed at assessing the security situation as well as engaging leaders, security teams, NGAOs, and peace committees on strategies to enhance security, peace, and cohesion.
He is also holding the meetings to get feedback from the residents on the quality of service delivery, interact with security personnel on the front line and do a spot check on mobile ID registration.
He will be in Bungoma today, and Kakamega on Friday, with Vihiga being the last spot on Saturday.
