The Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has confirmed the rollout of a new Kenya Police Service uniform, with General Duty officers set to begin wearing the outfit next week.
Speaking to the media after assessing preparations for the passing-out parade at Kiganjo on August 25, IG Kanja said that more than 6,000 police constables graduating from the National Police Service Training College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County, will be the first to wear the new uniform at their passing-out parade on Friday.
“We have been using the blue, the deep blue one, so we have just reverted back to the one that was agreed upon. I must note that on Monday, I will also be in that one,” he said.
He added that President William Ruto is expected to unveil the new uniform during the Kiganjo Police Training College pass-out.
IG Kanja Announces Rollout of New Kenya Police Uniform
According to Kanja, the uniform was selected after a 2023 public participation exercise in which police officers rejected the navy-blue outfit currently in use and shared their preferred design.
He said the new attire will be gradually reintroduced to General Duty officers, with the move expected to improve their morale and, ultimately, service delivery.
“In the next few weeks, we should see the new uniform that was approved come back, and I think this is also going to be a force multiplier,” said the IG.
The new uniform will initially apply to General Duty officers, while their counterparts in the Administration Police Service and the General Service Unit will retain their current uniforms.
Also Read: Inside Kiganjo Police College, Where Kenya Police Officers Are Trained Before Deployment
How the New Uniforms Will Look
In 2023, the National Police Service began consultations on proposed changes to the police uniform, with a team from police headquarters set to visit the eight regions to gather views from officers and members of the public.
The exercise came about five years after former President Uhuru Kenyatta unveiled the current all-Persian blue police uniform in 2018.
At the time, the government said the uniform was intended to enhance police visibility and promote uniformity across the service following the merger of the Administration Police and Kenya Police.
Also Read: Police Recruits Warned About Social Media Days Before Pass-Out Parade
The proposed new uniform features a light blue shirt paired with navy blue trousers for both male and female officers.
The design also features the Kenya Police emblem on the left side and the Kenyan flag on the right.
Another feature is an inbuilt name tag that officers cannot remove. The measure is intended to prevent rogue officers from removing their names and service numbers during misconduct.
The uniform also includes accessories such as sweaters, trench coats, and reflective jackets, with both long- and short-sleeved versions available.
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