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Kenya Police authorities have unveiled a new set of navy blue uniforms for their officers, marking a departure from the previous design adopted in 2018. The updated attire includes the officer’s name and force number embroidered on it, enhancing identification.
Female police officers will now have the option of both trousers and skirts as part of their uniform. This change comes at a considerable cost, amounting to millions of shillings.
The decision to update the uniform follows recommendations from a recent task force on police reforms led by retired Chief Justice David Maraga. The task force suggested reverting to the old blue uniform and proposed the establishment of a National Uniforms Committee.
According to the report, the committee would comprise representatives from Disciplined and Security Services, responsible for approving standards, colors, and qualities of uniforms for each service.
The task force recommended a three-year period for the National Police Service (NPS) to return to its old uniform, allowing time to design a new one. Additionally, the committee aims to address public misuse of uniforms.
The unveiling of the new uniform took place in February this year when Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome showcased the design. The previous government had phased out the iconic blue police uniform, intending to increase officer visibility and ensure uniformity during the merger of the Administrative Police and the Kenya Police Service.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, during campaigns, promised a change in the new blue police uniform, which the current government has now implemented. The former government had emphasized the neutral color as a symbol of the merger, and the uniforms were locally produced as part of the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative, contributing to cost savings and enabling the expansion of the police force.
