The short tight skirt... a real low in my life — Police corporal Linda Okello

 

Linda Okello was thrust into the limelight last year when a picture of

her in a body-hugging police skirt was published during the safari rally.

Photo:Courtesy Edit:SDE

Police corporal Linda Okello was thrust into the limelight last year when a picture of her in a body-hugging police skirt was published during the safari rally.

The photo by veteran motor sport journalist, Anwar Sidi, was the most talked about of all his rally pictures spanning over 20 years. The subject of interest was the police officer’s generous behind, whose protrusion was accentuated by the shortness and tightness of the skirt.

The picture went viral on social media. Linda was summoned by her superiors due to that small matter of ‘inappropriate’ dressing, contrary to police dress code.

Kenyans, who are never left behind in such matters created, the hashtag #KenyansForLindaOkello and #ASSkari to rally support ‘behind her.’

Linda Okello spoke to The Nairobian about the skirt incident, which she described as the most difficult experience she has ever gone through.

“Life has its highs and lows, but I have had two lows in my life. The first was the skirt incident. I didn’t know why I was being vilified yet I hadn’t broken any law. The second incident, which hit me really hard, was the death of my first-born daughter.”

Linda’s daughter died in 2013 after a battle with a kidney ailment. She says it has been hard coming to terms with her daughter’s death.

“I thank God I had the strength to make it through that difficult phase in life. My second daughter (who is five) still asks me where her sibling has gone. I try to gently explain to her that her sister is in heaven,” she says.

The other challenging moment was when she was transferred to Dadaab for a year. “It was a nice place. I was lonely because I couldn’t go with my daughter,” says Linda, who singles out Assistant Inspector General of Police,  Miriam Muli, as her mentor.

“She is very approachable, and I consult her about anything, even concerning matters that don’t involve police work. She always lends an ear for any police officer, be it work or regarding personal problems.” Linda is not with the police by default since “as a child, I had two career options. I wanted to be an air hostess or a police officer. At least my dreams of becoming a police officer came true and I can diligently serve my country,” says Linda who has been with the police force for 12 years.

I don’t date men I have arrested

Linda Okello is a Central Kenya member representative to the Kenya Association of Women in Policing. But she faces challenges in her work.

“As a traffic cop, the biggest problem is intimidation.  This is particularly evident when you flag down and arrest young people who are flash with money. They will threaten to call some bosses and have you transferred. Older people are easy to deal with since they respect the rule of law. I am very grateful to my bosses in Kiambu because they always support officers in such cases,” says the woman who has been hit on by men she arrests countless times.

She has never dated anyone she has arrested. “There must be a clear line between work and personal life. I can’t let my personal life interfere with my work, since my work is special. The opportunity to serve your country is not an honour everybody gets,” says the lover of rhumba music which goes well with Southern Comfort when she’s off duty.

Linda, a self-confessed good cook who prides herself for her adeptness at preparing soft, tasty chapatis. “I make very sumptuous chapatis, but sijawahi kalia mtu chapati,” she jokes. Linda does not exercise to maintain her body weight and does not mind the occasional junk food indulgence.

“When I am alone, I eat junk, but I guess I have a body that doesn’t grow too big when I eat such foods. I never go to the gym to cut my weight, but just for general fitness. I also use nitrogen products on my face since I have sensitive skin,” reveals Linda, who hopes to have two more children. The man in her life treats her well and “I love the way he cooks rice,” she gushes.

Linda the campus student Linda Okello, a sociology student at the University of Nairobi, says: “I don’t have to dip my feet in a basin of water to stay awake when studying. I balance work and school and it’s not such a strain.” Schooling for her comes naturally since both her parents were teachers.

“They were strict with us and they expected us to focus on education,” says the 32-year old who attended Kereri Girls in Kisii before joining the police force.

“I am graduating this year and hope to rise within the force to a senior position,” she adds and reveals that she plans to pursue a master’s degree as well.