Deputy President William Ruto's running mate Rigathi Gachagua has provided clarification on his controversial remarks on police uniform which he promised to change should Kenya Kwanza form the next government.
They twisted what I said - Gachagua clarifies controversial statement
The remarks caused an uproar with several leaders including PS Karanja Kibicho firing back
Kenya Kwanza presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua addresses a crowd on June 17, 2022
The Mathira MP who was captured on camera stating that the current police uniform will belong to PCEA ‘s women’s guild and will be taken back to where they belong.
Speaking at a rally in Kiambu county on Friday, June 17, the Mathira MP maintained that his remarks were taken out of context and added that he did not mean to disrespect the church or the police.
He however defended his position that the police uniform will be changed as soon as Kenya Kwanza wins the 2022 elections, noting that the two entities cannot share the same colours.
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He noted that the Persian blue uniforms originally belonged to the PCEA Church's Women's Guild and it is not right for the police to share the same.
"The other day I said that we will cage the police uniform and they twisted what I said. For many years that blue uniform has been for the PCEA Church specifically for the Women's Guild. Even schools do not take the uniform of other schools," Gachagua explained.
Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua speaking during a past UDA campaign rally
Pulse Live Kenya
Uproar over "ni uniform ya women's guild tutarudisha PCEA" remarks
The Mathira MP raised eyebrows at a rally in Nyandarua on June 11 when he boldly asserted that the current police uniform belongs to PCEA’s women’s guild.
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“Mumesumbuliwa sana na Matiang'i na Kibicho. Ata ile uniform ya blue ambayo hawataki, tutawaondolea tuwarudishie ile ya Kitambo. Hiyo ya blue tutarudishia kanisa ya PCEA. Hiyo ni uniform ya women's guild.
"(You have gone through a lot at the hands of Matiang’i and Kibicho. We will change the blue uniform that our officers do not want and revert to the previous one. We will return the blue one to PCEA church. It is the uniform for the women’s guild)," he said at a rally in Nyandarua on June 11, 2022.
His remarks attracted the wrath of several religious leaders and government officials, including interior PS, Karanja Kibicho.
Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho responds to Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua's comments on the new police uniform
Pulse Live Kenya
“It is disrespectful for Gachagua, who as a former government administrator, knows too well the role of the Uniform Committee, to contemptuously dismiss the careful considerations that informed the new uniform.
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“Uniforms are not just a matter of colour. They signify certain doctrines that must be appreciated whenever a merger occurs,” stated Kibicho.
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