Regila Atieno Onyango came into the police service as a pioneer and became the first female police officer in the police service to obtain a doctorate. With her brilliant academic record and excellent reputation, she seemed destined for success in any role she took up.
However, her two-year tenure as the NPS Public Relations Officer received mixed reviews, with many calling her tenure unsatisfactory. In the recent police reorganization, Onyango was promoted to the position of Diplomatic Police Commander and former Kiambu Police Chief Michael Nyaga Muchiri was appointed as the new NTC spokesperson.
She is a dedicated and competent police officer but the title of spokesperson does not suit her. She has a conservative approach which I think is not suited to the demands of such a tumultuous role,” noted security consultant George Musamari.
Since Onyango’s appointment as NTC spokesperson in November 2022, the seasoned detective turned media stalwart. Bruno Chioso, who became a communicator, left.
During her tenure, public perception of her performance remained very low, as evidenced by the views of ordinary Kenyans. ‘I have never heard of her,’ said Alex Karoli, a trade representative in Nairobi. “I know her name but not her face,” added hairdresser Lucy Otiende. Brenda Hemunt is a university student.
Unlike her predecessors Charles Owino and Eric Kiraite, Onyango has kept a low profile. She rarely gives interviews.” Musamari notes that. “Her tenure coincided with some of the most difficult times for the PNP, including post-election protests, the Shakahora massacre, rampant gang violence, Generation Z protests, and the controversial deployment of the Haitian police.
Critics argue that during these crises, she failed to assert herself as a spokesperson for the police service. She faced difficult situations, but as a spokesperson she had to rise to the occasion, especially in moments of national importance.” Mutamali added: “She is a very good person.
But Onyango is no ordinary police officer. Outside the police force, she is a preacher and a prominent figure in religious circles.
We call her Pastor Regilla. She is a woman of faith and very respected in our church,” says one of her followers.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Subscribe to our newsletter: Onyango, who was trained as a teacher at Moi University, has often spoken about her unconventional path to becoming a police officer. ‘I always thought I would later become a policeman,’ she said in a past interview.
I studied pedagogy, but when the opportunity to join the police came up, I didn’t hesitate to take it. Her successor, Muchiri, is now tasked with revitalizing the NPS communications department.
We hope he will re-energize it and bridge the growing communication gap between the police and the public,” says security expert Chris Otieno. During Onyango’s tenure, her cautious and unassuming style stood out, but some felt she lacked the dynamism needed for such a sensitive role.
A journalist who worked closely with her noted that “to be honest, she took office at a difficult time, especially during the Generation Z demographic.” Zipporah Gathiria Mboloki became the first female director, holding her post from 2014 to 2015. Although her tenure was short, her presence demonstrated the changing role of women in the police force.
With Onyango’s departure, Muchiri will be under pressure in his role as the public expects him to renew the relationship between the NPS and Kenyans. His challenge is to rebuild trust, improve communication and present the police in a confident light,” Otieno said.
He received his PhD in criminal justice from the John Jay School of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York in 2013. Prior to that, he received a Master’s degree in Criminology from the University of Pennsylvania (USA) through the Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program.
After earning a degree in Education from Moi University, she joined the police force and did her initial police training at the Kenya Police Academy in Kiganjo, where she became the best female recruit during her tenure The NTC spokespersons are as important as their work in the field, and the recruits fill in the gaps and keep an eye on what’s going on. It remains to be seen if they can live up to the expectations of a vigilant public.
