KIGANJO, Kenya – Expectant police officers will have a dedicated uniform option under Kenya’s redesigned General Duty police attire unveiled by President William Ruto on Friday as more than 6,000 recruits graduated from the National Police College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.
The redesigned uniform is expected to begin replacing the current General Duty attire from Monday, August 31, 2026, with the rollout taking place progressively across the country.
New uniform features
The standard uniform for male and female officers consists of a light sky-blue short-sleeved shirt paired with deep navy-blue straight-cut trousers.
Officers will also wear a navy-blue beret or peak cap bearing the official police insignia, together with polished black leather combat or service boots.
The new attire features a Kenyan flag patch on the upper sleeve, updated National Police Service markings and shoulder epaulettes displaying officers’ ranks.
It also includes lanyard attachment loops and two chest pockets fitted with button-down flaps.
Reinforced stitching has been incorporated at stress points to improve the uniform’s durability during police operations.
For female officers, the redesigned uniform includes specific provisions for expectant policewomen, addressing the need for appropriate attire during pregnancy.
Uniform redesign follows public participation
The uniform change follows a public participation exercise conducted in 2023, during which the National Police Service sought views from officers on the preferred design.
Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja said the service had returned to a design that had previously been agreed upon following consultations with officers.
“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.
He said the new attire could also improve morale among police officers, particularly recruits joining the service.
“This is also going to be a force multiplier in terms of morale boosting for our officers, especially the new recruits,” he said.
More than 6,000 recruits pass out
The unveiling took place during the passing-out parade of more than 6,000 Police Recruit Constables who completed nine months of training at Kiganjo.
The recruits reported to the National Police College on November 24, 2025, before undergoing an intensive training programme in preparation for deployment.
They will be among the first General Duty officers to wear the redesigned uniform as they begin their assignments.
The new attire will initially apply to General Duty officers in the Kenya Police Service.
Officers serving in the Administration Police Service and General Service Unit (GSU) will continue wearing their existing uniforms.
Ruto inspects redesigned police attire
President Ruto arrived at Kiganjo on Friday and inspected a guard of honour mounted by the graduating recruits before viewing the new police uniforms.
The ceremony was attended by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Inspector-General Kanja, Deputy Inspector-General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat, and Directorate of Criminal Investigations Director Mohamed Amin.
The inclusion of a specific uniform provision for expectant officers also marks an adjustment aimed at accommodating the needs of female officers throughout different stages of service.
