In the past five years police uniforms have been changed twice.
Before 2018, Kenyans were accustomed to the white short-sleeved shirts and dark blue trousers for women and sky blue shirts and navy blue trousers for men.
On Wednesday, to much public debate, another set of yankees blue uniforms was unveiled.
The public discussions have been centred on whether, at a time of major economic distress, millions of shillings should be spent to kit tens of thousands of police officers. It is an imprudent use of public cash.
Police officers need better housing and equipment to maintain law and order and to investigate complex murders and financial crimes.
It is hard to see the connection between the new outfit and their key job.
The uniform budget would have been better spent to improve the deplorable housing conditions in which a majority of police officers live or improve their perks.
The change of uniforms also comes, curiously, when the Treasury has announced a raft of cost-cutting measures to rein in unnecessary spending.
The police chiefs must be seen to march in step with the government, which has announced over and over that the economy is under strain and every effort should be made to save what is available.
The uniforms to be replaced are still new, and considering each officer gets two pairs, millions worth of uniforms will be decommissioned yet still in good shape for use.
The new plan should be kept on hold. There is no justification.
Quote of the Day: “It’s discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.”
Noel Coward
The English playwright was born on December 16, 1899
