NAIROBI: Policewoman Linda Okello has twice sought the intervention of the courts over a tight skirt saga and her demotion.
In 2014, she was caught on camera wearing a skin-hugging skirt and this year, she complained of being demoted over an alleged bribery offence.
In the first case, she complained of being subjected to an unfair and unreasonable enquiry. On May 19, 2014, the police disciplinary team heard that on April 26, 2014 at around 1pm at Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in Kiambu County, she appeared scantily dressed, contrary to the National Police Service Act.
The charge read that she was pictured wearing a tight-fitting skirt, which sparked debate in the electronic, social and print media.
A Labour court heard that the charges in the sheet were conflicting. Her lawyer termed them as "defective and only meant to humiliate her".
Linda moved to court seeking a declaration that the disciplinary proceedings against her were unlawful.
She claimed that the four witnesses who testified against her exonerated her from any wrongdoing.
And on February 25 this year, through lawyer Tom Ojienda, she sued the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet after she was demoted from a corporal to a constable. She wanted the court to reverse the decision.
Linda told the court that on January 14, she was arrested while on duty along the Kiambu-Ruiru road at around 9am by Senior Superintendent Julius Wanjohi who was in the company of two others; Emily Nguruiya and James Mutume.
She said she was escorted to police headquarters and soon after served with a waiver notice at around 11am.
She alleged that Mr Wanjohi immediately appointed Mr Ndungu as a presiding officer to conduct orderly room proceedings against her and she was charged with corruption. She claimed the proceedings were conducted as from 12pm.
"Notably, Mr Wanjohi was the star witness whereas his evidence contradicted with the officers who were with him and thus not corroborated," Mr Ojienda said in the court papers.
"The senior superintendent at traffic headquarters, by appointing an officer under his direct command to conduct the orderly room proceedings in which he was the complainant and acting as a judge in his own cause (shows that) the applicant could not obtain a fair trial," he added.
Ojienda said refusal by the senior officers to accord Linda sufficient time to prepare her defence and probably call witnesses was in gross violation of the Constitution.
The lawyer said on January 19, the traffic commandant sentenced the applicant by demoting her. Ojienda said Linda filed an appeal on February 3 but the traffic commandant rejected it without giving any reasons.
