KAIKAI'S KICKER – Police uniforms: What the fade!

Now, it is not the heat that got my tears welling up. It is the physical condition of some of the police officers. I was particularly alarmed by the state of the uniforms they were wearing. Their uniforms were in a pathetic state. I could tell the original colour was some shade of blue, but I struggled to describe what the intended next colour would be. From severely faded blue to hues of brown, black, and, on the ironed collars, a ridiculous suggestion of silver-white.

Against that atrocious uniform, a very personable police officer proudly clutched his obviously better-regarded AK-47 assault rifle. It looked new, and the strap was impressive, with an appearance of strength and durability. I thought, what a contrast! We had a good chat with the police officers and, no, they were not asking for money, chai, kitu kidogo or such-like stuff. They were just decent fellow Kenyans engaging in chit-chat about things that included families and, of course, the harsh sunshine.

The sight of that uniform was devastating. I was left wondering: Could it be the only pair the officer had? Is there a process of replacing uniforms when they wear out, and after how long?

I was devastated because, across all civilized nations, a police officer is the face of law and order. The badge on their beret or cap, and their uniform, constitute items of high honour, earned through dedicated service to the country and fellow countrymen. A police officer is the first symbol of the rule of law and, as a matter of course, they must look the part.

The dilapidated uniform notwithstanding, I left the police roadblock convinced I had met some really nice officers. And I know there are so many well-meaning men and women serving in the National Police Service today. But I kept wondering what it feels like to be a good, diligent police officer in Kenya today.

How do policemen and women in faded uniforms feel? How does a good police officer feel when one or three of their supposed colleagues turn out to be hired hitmen behind the broad daylight killing of a doctor? How do genuine, rule-of-law-inspired police officers feel when they are paired with goons supposedly on public-order deployments? How do law-abiding police officers feel when they or their colleagues don masks and hide their identities while out on partisan political assignments?

Let's shelve the complex questions for now. Let's ask a basic one: How does a good police officer feel turning up for duty every morning in torn, tattered or severely washed-out uniforms? What happens to their dignity?

Now, dressing well and looking neat and tidy is a central part of the training of police recruits. But why should a serving police officer look so hopeless and dishevelled? Incomprehensible!

To the National Police Service: when buying hoodies and face masks, do not forget the police officers in faded blue uniforms.