Govt Unveils New Police Uniforms, Asks Kenyans To Help In Selecting

• In 2018, then-president Uhuru Kenyatta unveiled brand new uniforms for the National Police Service (NPS)
• Five years later, President William Ruto's administration has come up with a net set of uniforms for the officers
• NPS urged Kenyans to view the new designs on display and give comments on whether they should be adopted or dropped

Nairobi - The Kenya Kwanza administration has initiated plans to launch new uniforms for the National Police Service (NPS) officers.

Where can Kenyans see samples of new uniform

In a statement on Tuesday, August 29, NPS asked Kenyans to comment on the new sets of designs proposed by the government.

"The National Police Service kindly invites members of the public to participate in the selection process for the proposed Kenya Police Service uniform," said NPS.

The public participation exercise is set to take place between August 29 and Thursday, August 31, at various venues.

The exercise will be held at Kenya Police Pavilion, South C, Nairobi, on August 29, Central Region at Ruring'u Police Training College on August 30, and National Police College-Main Campus Kiganjo on August 31.

The new designs will replace the current royal blue regalia, introduced in 2018 by former president Uhuru Kenyatta's administration.

Jubilee administration introduced the royal blue uniforms to increase officers' visibility and create uniformity across all ranks during the merger of the Administrative Police and the Kenya Police Service.

Why Kenya Kwanza wants police uniform changed

During the 2022 presidential campaign, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said Kenya Kwanza will not relent in effecting the reforms in the National Police Service.

Speaking in Nyandarua during the county's economic forum organised by the Ruto-led political faction, Rigathi observed that the members of the disciplined services had been neglected by the administration that succeeded that of the late Mwai Kibaki.

Besides the "poor" remuneration, Rigathi asserted that police officers were uncomfortable with their current blue uniform.

He said that the officers will revert to their previous attire if his ticket with Ruto takes the lead on August 9.

"You have suffered for so long while in the hands of Fred Matiang'i and Karanja Kibicho. Even the new blue uniform that you are all uncomfortable with will be revoked and we return to the old one. The blue one will be a preserve for the women's guild in the PCEA church," he said.