President William Ruto unveiled new police uniforms for police officers on August 28, as he presided over the passing-out parade of police constables at the National Police Service Training College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.
Speaking during the passing-out parade, Ruto said the new uniform was introduced for General Duty officers after consultations with police officers and members of the public. He said the consultations, together with recommendations from the Presidential Task Force on Police Reforms, highlighted concerns over the quality and suitability of the previous uniform and its impact on officers’ professional identity.
“We are unveiling a new uniform for general duty officers of the Kenya Police Service. This change follows consultations with police officers and the public in 2023 as well as recommendations for the Presidential Task Force. Officers expressed legitimate concerns about the current uniform, including its quality, suitability, and effect on professional identity.The graduating officers will be the first to wear the new uniform. It will then be progressively rolled out to general duty officers throughout the country, effective next week,” Ruto stated.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, speaking to the media on August 25 after inspecting preparations for the passing-out parade at Kiganjo, said more than 6,000 police constables graduating from the National Police Service Training College would be the first officers to wear the new uniform during Friday’s ceremony.
Explaining the change, Kanja said the service had decided to return to the previously agreed uniform, replacing the deep-blue design currently in use.
“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.
Light-Blue Shirt and Navy-Blue Trousers
The most noticeable feature of the new uniform is its two-tone colour scheme.
General Duty officers will wear a light-blue shirt paired with navy-blue trousers, replacing the predominantly deep-blue uniform currently in use.
The new design marks a return to the color combination previously approved after consultations with police officers.
Kanja said the decision followed the views gathered during the 2023 public participation exercise.
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Kenyan Flag and Kenya Police Emblem
The new uniform also introduces changes to the insignia displayed on the shirts and dresses.
The new uniform features the Kenya Police emblem on the left sleeve and the Kenyan national flag on the right sleeve.
The features give the uniform a distinct national identity while clearly identifying officers as members of the Kenya Police Service.
This represents a shift from the previous use of the Kenya Police flag, with the new design placing the national flag on the uniform instead.
Built-In Name Tags
Another change is the introduction of an integrated name tag, which, unlike removable identification tags, the name tag is incorporated into the uniform.
This is particularly significant in efforts to promote accountability, as members of the public will be able to identify officers more easily during their interactions.
Sweaters, Trench Coats and Reflective Clothing
The new police uniform is not limited to the standard shirt and trousers.
The redesigned police clothing includes additional items such as sweaters, trench coats, rainwear and high-visibility reflective clothing.
Additional clothing is intended to allow officers to operate in different weather conditions while maintaining a standard appearance.
The new collection also provides different options, including long- and short-sleeved shirts.
Maternity Uniforms for Female Officers
The redesign also caters for pregnant police officers through specially tailored plain light blue maternity uniforms.
The maternity options form part of the review of police clothing and are designed to provide female officers with suitable uniforms during pregnancy while allowing them to continue carrying out their duties.
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Which Police Officers Will Wear the New Uniform?
The new police uniform will initially be introduced for General Duty officers serving under the Kenya Police Service.
It will not replace the uniforms worn by all units within the National Police Service.
Officers serving in the Administration Police Service (APS) and the General Service Unit (GSU) will continue wearing their existing uniforms.
More than 6,000 police constables graduating at Kiganjo are expected to be among the first officers to wear the new design.
Kanja said the change is also expected to improve morale among officers, particularly newly trained recruits.
“This is also going to be a force multiplier in terms of morale boosting for our officers, especially the new recruits,” he said.
Why Kenya Is Changing the Police Uniform
The new police uniform follows consultations conducted in 2023 after the National Police Service sought views from officers and members of the public on a new design.
The exercise resulted in a preference for moving away from the deep-blue uniform introduced in 2018.
The new light-blue and navy combination therefore represents a return to the design selected through the consultation process.
The change also comes as the National Police Service continues to review aspects of policing and the welfare of its officers.
For General Duty officers, the transition will end the eight-year use of the deep navy-blue uniform and introduce a design that places greater emphasis on identification, functionality, and officer welfare.
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