Charles Owino Rubbishes Calls To Remove Pockets From Police Uniforms: "Wakenya Ndio Wanatoa Hongo"

• Charles Owino claimed that removing pockets from police uniforms will not solve the corruption question
• Owino highlighted that officers who refuse bribes are often reported negatively, implying a cultural issue
• He accused Kenyans of always being willing to bribe police officers for their freedom

Nairobi - Former police spokesman Charles Owino has faulted the request by Kenyans to remove pockets from the proposed police uniforms.

Owino defended the police officers, saying they do not demand bribes. It is Kenyans who are always willing to give bribes.

" It is cheeky for people to tell us that we should remove pockets. It is not police officers who ask for these bribes. It is the public that wants to bribe officers," Owino said.

It is a moral issue

He explained that in his leadership of the police service, he had received complaints against different police officers who opted to exercise high integrity and refused to take bribes.

"In my experience in leadership of the police at different levels, a police officer who doesn't take bribes is reported to me as a bad person because he or she does not take bribes. They even request us to transfer those who do not take bribes. Kenyans are bad people," he disclosed.

The outspoken retired police officer said that even if pockets are removed from the uniforms, there are many options to hide the money.

"They like bribing. If all of us say we cannot bribe, then that's okay. Even if they remove the pockets, police have different alternatives," he said.

Removal of pockets not a solution

Speaking at NTV Sasa, Owino dismissed claims that the proposal to change police uniforms was a ploy by the government to open tenders for its cronies.

"When this government came, they had to look at improving it. They have also done public participation. The one they want to bring is almost identical to the first one. People should not view it as a way for the government to secure tenders for its cronies. We should be positive," he explained.

He said the current uniforms get dirty so quickly, forcing the government to spend more on buying more pairs.

Govt unveils police uniforms, asks Kenyans for recommendations

The Kenya Kwanza administration initiated plans to launch new uniforms for the National Police Service (NPS) officers.

In a statement on Tuesday, August 29, NPS asked Kenyans to comment on the new sets of designs proposed by the government.

"The National Police Service kindly invites members of the public to participate in the selection process for the proposed Kenya Police Service uniform," said NPS.

The public participation exercise will occur between August 29 and Thursday, August 31, at various venues.