KDF Officers Reveal Why They Fear Military's Red Berets

KDF soldiers during one of their missions in Somalia.
KDF soldiers during one of their missions in Somalia.
File

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers have expressed their fears, respect and commendation of the military's Red Berets, the unit they said intimidated them most. 

In a special 2021 magazine released by KDF, the military men said that the unit, commonly known as military police, often inflicts irrepressible anxiety into them once they bump into each other or are tasked with an officer's case. 

"There is always a feeling of panic that engulfs any soldier when they bump into a Military Police Officer. Am I wearing something I shouldn’t be wearing? Does my shirt have a nametag? Did I forget to wipe off my makeup before getting into my uniform?

"It is a combination of respect and a touch of fear that can perhaps be explained by the fact that their red berets make them look different, and in effect, intimidating," one soldier attested. 

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The KDF's Military Police commonly known as Red Berets
KDF

Lieutenant Nyamita (identified by his surname only), an officer attached to the Special Investigation Unit explained the roles and challenges the military police play and face. 

“We are the Corps mandated to police the KDF by promoting and ensuring the highest standard of conduct through quality military policing and provision of tactical provost support to KDF in all operations,” he said. 

For one to join the Red Berets, an officer has to stand out from the rest. The desire for justice and fairness must be unquestionable. Character and integrity must be beyond reproach, and the level of discipline should be exceptionally high, according to Lt. Nyamita. 

He added that an officer also has to succeed in the various courses for both officers and service members. 

Red Berets are tasked with varying military cases, from fraud and forgery, among other sensitive and complex crimes, and they coordinate with officers from the National Police Service, especially the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). 

The civil police assist with sourcing for evidence, screening and forensic analysis before handing over the exhibits to the Red Berets. 

"The trial authority has the final verdict on whether to acquit or convict an accused, but before the case gets to trial, investigating officers follow an investigation protocol. 

“The principle of the Rule of Law subjects all persons to be accountable to the law regardless of one’s rank, appointment or social status," Nyambita explained. 

The main challenge faced, according to the Lieutenant is the lengthy time it takes to investigate cases that majorly require ballistics, toxicological and document examination reports. In other situations, some senior officers can be uncooperative with the investigating officers. 

Two cases handled by the military police familiar to the public include the arrest of former KDF Major Peter Mugure who was accused of killing his wife, Joyce Syombua and their two children in November 2019, and the apprehension of Sergeant Denis Ochieng who raided his ex-wife’s house and launched a smoke grenade on Saturday, January 16. 

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Military Police arrest former KDF Major Peter Mwaura Mugure who was accused of killing his wife and their two children in November 2019,
File
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