Gachagua insists Kenyan police uniform is for ‘PCEA church choirs’
Kenya Kwanza Alliance presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua has maintained that Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i erred by issuing the National Police Service uniforms belonging to Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) guild women.
This is the second time the Mathira MP is commenting on the royal blue police uniforms, having said last week that he will abolish the uniforms if the alliance, under the leadership of Deputy President William Ruto, wins the August 9 General Election.
“Juzi nimesema hii uniform ya polisi tutabadilisha wakajaribu kupindua Kiswahili. Mimi nimesema hiyo rangi ya blue tangu zamani ilikuwa ni ya kanisa letu la PCEA akina mama wa women guild,” Gachagua said.
“Hao polisi wanatuambia wangetaka warudishiwe ile uniform yao ya zamani na hiyo tutawarudishia kwa sababu walilazimishiwa uniform bila kuulizwa,” he added.
The legislator’s latest remarks come even after his initial comments drew heavy criticism from fellow politicians as well as the clergy, with some terming his sentiments as an insult to the church and Kenyan women.
Earlier this week, Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho rubbished Gachagua’s comments saying the uniform was endorsed by the relevant government committee.
Kibicho termed Gachagua’s comments as insincere, saying its important for the pubic to understand the circumstances and process that surrounded the adoption of the colour.
“Uniforms are not just a matter of colour. They signify certain doctrines that must be appreciated whenever a merger occurs. It is disrespectful for Gichagua, who, being a former government administrator, knows too well the role of the Uniform Committee, to contemptuously dismiss the careful considerations that informed the new uniform,” Kibicho said.