'Hiyo ni ya women’s guild!’ Gachagua says Kenya Kwanza gov’t will abolish blue police uniform

Deputy President William Ruto's running mate Rigathi Gachagua has castigated Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and his Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho over what he termed as the mistreatment of police officers.

Speaking during a campaign rally in Nyandarua County on Saturday, Gachagua said if the DP Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza team ascends to power come August, it would restore the dignity in the police service.

“Karanja Kibicho and Matiang’i have misused the police officers, not a single day have they looked after their welfare. They have misused County Commissioners, DCCs, Chiefs, Assistant chiefs…these are people who have most been misused,” he said.

“The general populist in the civil service, we are aware of them because of lack of carrier progression. From Principal Secretaries all the way to the messenger, your day is coming. You are going to have a government that will dignify your work so that you can serve the people of Kenya.”

The bullish Mathira MP said the Kenya Kwanza government would do away with the current blue police uniform, which he says was imposed on the officers, and replace it with the previous white and blue outfit.

“Polisi wetu wametumiwa vibaya na Matiang’i. Ata hiyo uniform wamesukumiwa, ile ya blue hawataki, tutawaondolea tuwarudishie ile ya zamani. Na hiyo ya blue turudishe kanisa ya PCEA, hiyo ni uniform ya women’s guild,” Gachagua said.

At the same time, he continued to poke holes in CS Matiang’i’s leadership, accusing him alongside PS Kibicho of misappropriating government funds.

Gachagua cited the COVID-19 welfare funds as well as other allocations made to boost the security docket, claiming that they were redirected towards the presidential campaign of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party flagbearer Raila Odinga.

“Wewe Matiang'i na Kibicho, mmechukua pesa ya usalama, ile ya DCI, mmepea Kinoti ameenda kusaidia project kitendawili. Wewe Karanja Kibicho, ile pesa yote ya security operations, umechukua umepelekea Raila,” he alleged.

“Sasa mmeamua pesa ya vijana, kutoka 1,000 mnakata 555 mkapatia Raila. Wewe Matiang’a na Kibicho, Wakenya kuwasamehea itakuwa shida; you have diverted all public funds mpaka sasa mmefika mahali mnachukua pesa ya vijana.”