Bolo Yeung
Lister
Many early Administrators who served in the harsh and arduous Northern Frontier District (NFD) (North Eastern province), remembered with affection the gallant tribal policemen, called the Dubas.
The Dupas were established as a commando unit by the then PC Sir Gerald Reece.
The Dubas commandos were chosen from the sons of influential men, and had to be of proven courage.
They were drawn from the main tribes of the district - Somali, Boran, Gabbra, Samburu, Rendille and a few Turkana.
They wore a distinctive uniform consisting of a snow white robe slung over one shoulder and kept in place by a bandolier around their waist plus their blood-red turbans.
In late 1940s the Dubas were requested to visit Nairobi for "The Country Comes to Town" Show .
However before they left for the capital , their commander Sir Gerald received a letter saying that they "must wear more clothing since someone dressed in nothing but a double-width white robe might strike some people in Nairobi as indecent."
As one colonial DC said about the Dubas, "Without them working among their own people as Police and messengers, the administration of the NFD would have quickly come to a halt."
The photo is of Sergeant Abdurahman who served as a Dubas between 1935 to 1959.
Courtesy of Odhiambo Levin Opiyo
The Dupas were established as a commando unit by the then PC Sir Gerald Reece.
The Dubas commandos were chosen from the sons of influential men, and had to be of proven courage.
They were drawn from the main tribes of the district - Somali, Boran, Gabbra, Samburu, Rendille and a few Turkana.
They wore a distinctive uniform consisting of a snow white robe slung over one shoulder and kept in place by a bandolier around their waist plus their blood-red turbans.
In late 1940s the Dubas were requested to visit Nairobi for "The Country Comes to Town" Show .
However before they left for the capital , their commander Sir Gerald received a letter saying that they "must wear more clothing since someone dressed in nothing but a double-width white robe might strike some people in Nairobi as indecent."
As one colonial DC said about the Dubas, "Without them working among their own people as Police and messengers, the administration of the NFD would have quickly come to a halt."
The photo is of Sergeant Abdurahman who served as a Dubas between 1935 to 1959.
Courtesy of Odhiambo Levin Opiyo
