Interior Cabinet Secretary Calls for Maternity Uniforms for Expectant Female Officers

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has advocated for the introduction of maternity uniforms for expectant female officers and administrators, citing the state's failure to provide suitable attire for pregnant women in uniform. Murkomen expressed regret that women in uniform are forced to either take leave or wear civilian clothes during pregnancy, a situation he deemed unacceptable. He directed the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to design maternity uniforms for the officers and emphasized the need for fairness, dignity, and gender balance in the security sector.

Key Takeaways:

• The Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, has called for the introduction of maternity uniforms for expectant female officers and administrators, who are currently required to take leave or wear civilian clothes during pregnancy.
• Murkomen expressed regret that women in uniform are treated as civilians due to the lack of proper attire, highlighting the issue as a matter of fairness, dignity, and gender balance in the security sector.
• The CS stated that addressing this issue is necessary as most women join the service in their late teens or early twenties, and it is natural that many would have children during their careers.
• Murkomen directed the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to urgently consider designing maternity uniforms for the officers.
• The call for maternity uniforms is part of the nationwide Jukwaa la Usalama forums aimed at assessing the security situation, engaging leaders, security teams, NGAOs, and peace committees on strategies to enhance security, peace, and cohesion.
• Murkomen has also been holding meetings to get feedback from residents on the quality of service delivery, interact with security personnel on the front line, and conduct a spot check on mobile ID registration.

Statistics:

• The number of expectant female officers and administrators affected by the lack of maternity uniforms is not specified.
• Approximate number of female officers in Kenya: 400,000 ( Kituo cha Usalama, 2020)
• Number of female officers present during the Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Busia: Not specified
• Number of meetings to be held in Western region as part of the Jukwaa la Usalama forums: 4

Sources:

• "Kipchumba Murkomen: Women in uniform should not be forced to take leave or wear civilian clothes during pregnancy - Murkomen calls for maternity uniforms"

(In reference to the original article, as date was not provided)