Kenya’s General Duty police officers are set to receive new uniforms from next week as the National Police Service (NPS) moves to replace the deep-blue attire introduced in 2018.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said the new uniform will be officially unveiled by President William Ruto on Friday, August 28, during the passing-out parade of more than 6,000 police constables at the Kenya Police Training College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.
According to details published by Taifa Leo on Thursday, August 27, the new attire features a light-blue shirt and navy-blue trousers, marking a return to a design that had previously been approved for General Duty officers.
The newspaper reported that the new uniforms will also carry identification features aimed at making it easier for members of the public to identify individual officers.
The change comes as the police service seeks to address concerns surrounding accountability and the conduct of officers while on duty.
Kanja said the uniform change follows recommendations from a public participation exercise conducted in 2023, during which police officers expressed dissatisfaction with the deep-blue outfit and preferred the previously approved design.
“We have been using the blue, the deep blue one, so we have just reverted back to the one that was agreed upon,” Kanja said.
The rollout will begin with newly trained officers graduating at Kiganjo before the new attire is progressively introduced to General Duty officers across the country from Monday, August 31.
Kanja said the change is expected to boost the morale of officers, particularly recruits joining the service, while improving service delivery.
The new uniform is therefore being presented as part of wider efforts to strengthen the police service and improve officers’ working conditions.
The change will not immediately affect all formations of the National Police Service. Officers serving in the Administration Police Service (APS) and the General Service Unit (GSU) will retain their existing uniforms as the new attire is rolled out specifically among General Duty officers.
The transition comes as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, when the police service will face increased demands to maintain security and uphold public order.
Kanja has separately urged graduating officers to remain professional, disciplined and faithful to the law as they begin their duties.