Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that future police uniforms should be redesigned to include maternity wear for female officers.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, September 5, Murkomen noted that the current police uniform system does not adequately provide for women officers during pregnancy, creating unnecessary challenges in their service.
“What I have told the IG is that future police uniforms should include maternity dresses for female officers,” Murkomen said. “All female police are recruited at 18, 19, 20, or 21 years, so most of them are not married. They have no uniform when they are expecting. Future uniforms must include maternity dresses for female officers.”
According to the CS, policewomen often find themselves struggling to balance their professional responsibilities with the physical realities of pregnancy due to the lack of maternity-friendly attire.
He emphasised that this is not about creating a lesser standard uniform but about ensuring comfort, dignity, and practicality.
Modernising the police service
Murkomen insisted that the maternity uniform design should match global standards, pointing out that such considerations are not a mark of weakness but of progress.
“I am not saying third-world uniform. It will help them be able to wear it over a certain period of time,” he clarified.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/share/1BrdtErzkA/
The CS stressed that pregnancy should not disadvantage female officers or force them into awkward choices between duty and comfort. Instead, a tailored maternity dress would ensure that women in service can continue to work effectively without compromising their health or appearance.
By acknowledging the unique needs of female officers, Murkomen positioned the move as part of broader reforms aimed at modernising the police service and making it more inclusive. His proposal reflects a growing call for workplaces, especially in disciplined forces, to adapt to gender-specific realities.
The idea has already triggered conversations among Kenyans, with many praising the CS for highlighting an often-overlooked issue.
If implemented, the maternity uniform initiative would mark a milestone in recognising the evolving role of women in the police service, since the CS pointed out that it has not been done in many countries, offering them the support they need while carrying out their duties.
