New proposed Police uniforms unveiled

Some of the officers from the Kenya Police Service in the new uniforms unveiled on August 29, 2023 in Nairobi. [Denis Kibuchi, Standard]

National Police Service has unveiled new proposed police uniforms design that will replace the current persian blue attire.

The NPS has now called for proposals from the officers and the public.

Officers from Nairobi region settled on light blue colour uniform through voting, a process that will be replicated in other parts of the country until the end of this week.

The new version has light blue short and long sleeved shirts with officers name and service number mounted on both left and right pockets and dark navy blue trousers and sweaters.

The proposed uniform was first unveiled in February this year when police boss Japhet Koome donned it during a meeting with his deputy Noor Gabow and Chief Justice Martha Koome at the High Court.

Director of Logistics Kenya Police Service, Peter Ndungu said the officers have fully embraced the process.

"They are overwhelmed and very happy because they feel part of that process that a uniform presented to them, they get time to choose without interference," he said.

Ndungu spoke on Tuesday during the uniforms unveiling process at Police Pavilion in Nairobi where officers and members of the public were invited.

Mr Ndungu who is also the Senior Assistant Inspector General implored the members of the public to take part in the process by giving their views.

"This is a public thing, those who wish to come are free to come and we are arranging with regional commanders to invite as many members of the public as possible," said Mr. Ndungu.

He observed that the debate only involves texture and standards as that lies within the hands of high ranks of the government agency.

"The uniform that was contentious was General Duty. It had issues because there was no such process as we doing," he stated

The public participation process is expected to be tabled to the committee to the appointed authority by August 7 this year.

If adopted, the changes will be a shift from the all-royal blue uniform that police officers have been wearing since 2018 after former President Uhuru Kenyatta phased out old uniforms.

The then administration argued that the royal blue uniform was introduced to increase the visibility of officers.

The intent was also to create uniformity across all police cadres during the merger of the Administrative Police and Kenya Police Service.

But, the Kenya Kwanza coalition promised to do away with it during last year's General Election campaigns.

"You have suffered so much at the hands of Fred Matiang'i and Karanja Kibicho (former Interior Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary respectively). Even the new blue uniform, which you don't want, will be withdrawn and we will go back to the old one," said Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.