Ruto defends news police uniforms say Kenyans, police gave view on change

President William Ruto at the Kiganjo Police Training College on August 28, 2026. [PCS]

President William Ruto has defended the recently unveiled police uniforms, saying that the changes were made following consultations with the police and Kenyans.

Speaking at Embakasi College during the pass-out of Administration of Police officers, the Head of State said the unveiling of the new uniforms reflects consideration of professional identity, operational suitability and dignity of the officers.

At the same time, Ruto said they have the liberty to scrutinise any process in the ongoing police reforms, including the new uniforms.

"Because this entire reform programme is undertaken in the public interest and financed with public resources, every aspect of it must withstand scrutiny. We welcome scrutiny of every decision and every shilling spent," Ruto said.

Adding, "Accountability is a constitutional obligation and must rest on facts, evidence and the truth. We must demand answers without prejudice. Question decisions without condemning people unheard and expose wrongdoing wherever it exists."

His response comes following public debate over the tendering process and who was awarded the tender for the police uniforms before the National Police Service shared the names of the companies that expressed interest in the supply.

In a statement the National Police Service said the decision to change the General Duty uniform was not a recent decision made specifically for the current procurement.

Instead, it said the change dates back to the wider police reforms recommended by the Maraga Task Force on Police Reforms, chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga.

NPS said the companies that applied for the tender were Bedi Investments Limited, Rivatex East Africa Limited, Thika Textile Mills Limited and Sunflag Textiles & Knitwear Mills.

The service said police officers were consulted during the process and overwhelmingly expressed dissatisfaction with the existing uniform, with many preferring a return to the previous uniform colours.

"True measure of police reform will not be found in speeches, policies, equipment, technology or uniforms but in the experience of the citizenry of the Republic of Kenya and whether an officer responds when called, applies the law," Ruto said

About 5,000 officers from the Administration Police Service graduated after undergoing a nine-month training and will be deployed to serve in different units across the country.

For this reason, the officers were challenged to honour the trust in every station and erve with courage, but never without restraint.

"Exercise authority, but never without accountability. And enforce the law, but never without humanity. I congratulate you and wish you every success in the service of our nation," Ruto added

Meanwhile Interior Cabinet Secretary Kicphumba Murkomen used the opportunity to defend the Police Service, saying it is united and under one command, dismissing reports that it is split.

"Those are false, by propagandists; there is full unity in the National Police Service, well trained and resourced by the government," Murkomen said

The CS said the curriculum used to train the new officers equipped them with discipline and how to relate with Kenyans.

"They have benefited immensely from the modernisation programme that ensured that they have protective equipment even as they serve," Murkomen said

"Their welfare has also been taken care of, including focusing on their mental health, making sure health facilities are improved, better insurance cover and increased salaries," the CS added.