Our verdict on the new police uniforms is that the only difference they have with Papa Shirandula’s uniform is the colour. In fact, Papa Shirandula’s is better because it is not a shouting shade of blue and fits the actor in accordance with his burly size.
When President Uhuru Kenyatta unveiled the new police uniforms yesterday, he probably would have expected a better reception but that has not been the case.
Kenyans across the board have agreed that the all-blue uniform is an eyesore, oldfashioned, and an embarrassment to Kenya, especially when set side by side next to our Rwandese counterparts.
The royal blue uniforms are part of the new raft of reforms in the police force that have seen the Administration Police merge with Kenya Police Service to form the General Duty Police.
The president made it clear that the reforms, ranging from the changes in structure and command, rebranding of colleges, and the introduction of housing allowances for junior officers, are meant to make the police force more efficient.
According to Uhuru, “the uniform will enhance better visibility for the officers”. The reforms are also apparently aimed at making the police a “service that is respected” rather than “a force that is feared”.
Well, we can immediately rule out respect out of that equation judging by the negative reactions from Kenyans. In fact, we have only been able to spot only one person who hailed the uniform – former Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale.
“Congratulations President Uhuru Kenyatta and IG Boinett for this new Kenya Police uniform. It is cool. Hope the officers will wear it with a new attitude in law enforcement,” he tweeted.
We have sampled some of the reactions below:
Retweet this if you HATE the new police uniform for Kenya Police #PoliceReforms pic.twitter.com/JFhcvxhWzS
— Fidel Jesus™ (@FidelFidel6) September 13, 2018
The new police uniform reminds me of the biblical story of new wine in old wine skins ! Police are poorly paid & live in deplorable conditions .if you ask them for their views , uniform will not be in top ten need list
— Sen Mutula KilonzoJR (@SenMutula) September 13, 2018
This new Police uniform looks like it was picked from a Naija movie scene??♂️ pic.twitter.com/HV2dtwbRel
— The Makodingo® (@makodingo) September 13, 2018
Kenyans: We want police reforms.
Matiang’i to Kenya1: Sir, Kenyans want new police uniforms.
— Bruce ?? (@ngwata_) September 13, 2018
New Kenya Police ? uniform; these the ugliest s**t I’ve seen today!
I just feel a tenderprenuer had to eat, these look like those ugly Museveni’s brutal police uniforms na pia zinakaa za watchmen. The previous uniforms were far better, authoritative & held identity sense. pic.twitter.com/wSUE9SvuMA
— Kenya West© (@KinyanBoy) September 13, 2018
Today in good faith, I congratulated @UKenyatta/@JBoinnet for Kenya Police new uniform. Kenyans, in their numbers hav said they don’t want our forces in this ‘Chinese’ colours! Since there is no primary/secondary/tertiary color called Chinese, Uhuru u’ve a problem on ua hands! pic.twitter.com/pvqkha94oQ
— Boni Khalwale (@KBonimtetezi) September 13, 2018
By the way what happened to the much hyped red paint on Thika Superhighway that was meant to ease Traffic Jams?
This blue Kenya Police Uniform might just disappear like the red lipstick on the tarmac. #PoliceReforms
— Ahmed Mohamed (@Asmali77) September 13, 2018
The Uniforms for our newly unified Kenya Police is Ugly, Dull , Old fashioned & Uninspiring … The Beret is worse … They look like Salvation Army Band … Police Uniform must be one that shows fitness & inspires fear … Here, we were conned … #PoliceReforms pic.twitter.com/F7abNCZUmB
— Donald B Kipkorir (@DonaldBKipkorir) September 13, 2018
Change of colour is the Kenyan solution to all problems:
Congest on CBD roads – paint a large yellow box at junctions
Congestion on highway – paint red line on one lane
Matatu accidents – paint yellow line on sides
School bus accidents – paint the yellow
#PoliceReforms— Mungai Kihanya (@mungaikihanya) September 13, 2018
The #PoliceReforms also increased the pocket sizes for the police uniform. pic.twitter.com/ttnaRTl44y
— Ahmed Mohamed (@Asmali77) September 13, 2018
At this point I think G4S has better looking uniforms than their colleagues here.
Whoever designed this this need to charged with high voltage treason. How could he make our officers look like struggling security firm. We wanted #PoliceReforms not #Policeuniform SO UNINSPIRING! pic.twitter.com/qaHEQhRkn0
— Kenya West© (@KinyanBoy) September 13, 2018
Hizi ni nini sasa? I thought part of the #PoliceReforms on uniforms size and fitness was supposed to be emphasized. Those times when police looked shaggy, shapeless and badly dressed are over. Police UNIFORM the design especially should be the smartest around. But hizi! Baaad pic.twitter.com/g6DLbxAv0n
— Lord Abraham Mutai (@ItsMutai) September 13, 2018
Are we turning into a Chinese colony ? * asking for Dedan Kimathi * #PoliceReforms pic.twitter.com/7yvFaXnRSO
— Leon Lidigu (@LeonLidigu) September 13, 2018
Chinese cops wear black, these are North Korean police. But feel free to tweet whatever excites you the most, no matter how ignorant.#PoliceReforms #NSCKE2018 pic.twitter.com/Qe19zv0b53
— Polycarp Hinga® ?? (@PolycarpHinga) September 13, 2018
Have been following this #PoliceReforms things and I have concluded that Kenya Police uniform review is a looming scandal. pic.twitter.com/5s6wSI3S4S
— Gabriel Munyoki (@Gmmunyoki) September 13, 2018
These Chinese people are everywhere, wondering what this one was involved in police reforms #PoliceReforms pic.twitter.com/PuSBUs31RS
— Kennedy Odhiambo (@OdhiamboKe) September 13, 2018
Reforming the police by changing their uniforms is like repainting a vehicle that has engine failure. It will not move.#PoliceReforms
— Joshua K. Njenga (@JKNjenga) September 13, 2018
From the bible to it being evident. China colonise Kenya #PoliceReforms pic.twitter.com/Znh1kwAMo3
— Searle (@maksea_) September 13, 2018
RT for G4S and FRT for @PoliceKE uniforms. #PoliceReforms pic.twitter.com/GdhwTbGztJ
— Rein (@Asamoh_) September 13, 2018
You all will say am Hating but What makes this a National Police Uniform? No single Colour of the National Flag is represented and the Badges look more of the Uganda National Flag than the Kenya Police Service Flag. Tumeuzwa! Why are they coming after China visit? #PoliceReforms pic.twitter.com/2BS1wiXPR1
— BRAVIN™ (@ItsBravin) September 13, 2018
How can Uhuru Kenyatta change such uniforms? How will we be tweefing with other countries yet this was our stronghold? ???#PoliceReforms pic.twitter.com/geva0W2HWT
— Maccos ?? (@Maccoscyrus) September 13, 2018
#PoliceReforms
Baada ya first wash.. pic.twitter.com/jAXeIXNx4h— Baba Simba (@macharia_mbugua) September 13, 2018
RT to retain the current Police Uniform …?#PoliceReforms #policeuniform pic.twitter.com/9VJl1OU2VK
— PrinceAdrian (@EmmahAdrian) September 13, 2018
Modern day uniforms #PoliceReforms pic.twitter.com/sP6ZKMFfsT
— Mr. Redfoot (@mr_redfoot) September 13, 2018
@FredMatiangi likes Ugly things, From Ugly yellow school buses to oversized Kenya Police uniforms that cant differentiate between a man & a woman. The prettiness of a Kenyan police woman has just been hidden in the name of #PoliceReforms
Compare and Contrast#NSCKE2018 pic.twitter.com/syZveCYOwE— Tired Kenyan?? (@TiredKenyan) September 13, 2018
Those opposed to new Kenya Police Uniforms as part of #PoliceReforms, terming it colonisation by China Should try the “Wakanda” Uniform, Its truly African #NSCKE2018 pic.twitter.com/hwBE95J9Fu
— Wambete Soita (@wambete) September 13, 2018
Tenderpreneurs of the new police uniforms watching Kenyans complaining about the ugly uniforms yet they have concluded business with President Uhuru Kenyatta #PoliceReforms pic.twitter.com/Qs70rrPDca
— RETIRED COMRADE (@retired_comrade) September 13, 2018
Mr president @UKenyatta @FredMatiangi @JBoinnet compare and contrast the old police uniforms were the best #PoliceReforms pic.twitter.com/I3I1jbsHre
— Observer @ (@linus_kips) September 13, 2018
Dog unit …New Uniform??? #PoliceReforms pic.twitter.com/KGZ8Utvcab
— KELVIN™ (@or__kelvin) September 13, 2018
