The National Police Service (NPS) has clarified the procurement and manufacture of the new Kenya Police Service General Duty uniform, denying reports linking Nalitex Limited to the process.
In a statement issued on Sunday, August 30, 2026, NPS said Nalitex Limited did not feature in any stage of the development, selection, procurement, or manufacture of the new police uniform.
“The NPS is particularly concerned that the media reports have introduced an entity referred to as Nalitex Limited into the procurement and manufacture of the new police uniform, yet the said entity does not feature anywhere in the NPS process relating to its development, selection, procurement or manufacture,” the statement read.
The Service said the company that was lawfully awarded the contract is Bedi Investments Limited, which is responsible for manufacturing and stitching the new General Duty uniforms.
How the new NPS uniform was developed
According to NPS, the decision to change the General Duty uniform was made before the procurement process and formed part of the wider police reform program.
The Maraga Task Force on Police Reforms, chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga, considered the reform process.
NPS said police officers were consulted during the process and overwhelmingly expressed dissatisfaction with the existing uniform while indicating a preference for a change.
The task force later recommended returning to the previous uniform colors. The Service said the decision was therefore part of the broader police reform process and was not sudden or arbitrary.
Following the reforms, the Kenya Police Service Uniform Committee worked with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to develop standards for the new uniform.
“The change was therefore neither sudden nor arbitrary, but one of several measures arising from the broader police reform process.”
Four manufacturers invited to submit samples
As part of efforts to promote local manufacturing under the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative, Kenyan textile manufacturers with previous experience supplying police uniform material were invited to submit samples.
The four companies invited were Bedi Investments Limited, Rivatex East Africa Limited, Thika Textile Mills Limited and Sunflag Textiles & Knitwear Mills.
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NPS said only Bedi Investments Limited and Rivatex East Africa Limited submitted samples within the stipulated period.
The submitted samples were evaluated following a process that included public participation. NPS said the sample manufactured by Bedi Investments Limited was subsequently adopted and approved through the relevant security structures.
The procurement process was then conducted in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, together with applicable regulations and procedures.
Bedi Investments Limited was subsequently awarded the contract to manufacture and stitch the new General Duty uniforms.
NPS denies Nalitex involvement
The Service said it was concerned by media reports linking Nalitex Limited to the procurement and manufacture of the new uniforms.
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NPS stated that Nalitex did not participate in the procurement process, was not awarded the contract and was not engaged as a subcontractor.
The Service further said Nalitex had not received any purchase order or payment from the NPS for the new police uniforms.
NPS described the association of Nalitex with the procurement as false and said the procurement record does not contain the company.
The Service said it supports legitimate media and public scrutiny of the use of public resources but maintained that such scrutiny should be based on complete, accurate and verifiable information.
NPS said it remains committed to implementing the wider police reform program while maintaining transparency, accountability and responsible use of public resources.
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