NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto is set to unveil Kenya’s new police uniform on Friday as more than 6,000 recruits graduate from the National Police College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.
The new uniform will be worn initially by General Duty officers under the Kenya Police Service, marking a major change from the deep navy-blue outfit currently used by the service.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed the planned unveiling on Tuesday after inspecting preparations for the passing-out parade at Kiganjo.
He said the new design follows recommendations from a 2023 public participation exercise in which police officers rejected the current navy-blue uniform.
“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 first officers to wear the new uniform will be the recruits graduating at Kiganjo. The National Police Service will then gradually roll out the attire to other General Duty officers across the country.
Kanja said the new uniform is expected to improve police morale and contribute to better service delivery.
“In the next few coming weeks, we should see the new uniform that was approved sometimes back and I think this is also going to be a force multiplier,” he said.
Not all police officers will change uniforms
The changes will initially apply to General Duty officers in the Kenya Police Service.
Officers serving in the Administration Police Service and the General Service Unit will retain their current uniforms, according to Kanja.
The rollout comes as the National Police Service implements wider reforms aimed at restructuring its operations and improving efficiency.
In July, Kanja introduced changes to the NPS structure, including the creation of the Nairobi Metropolitan Police, Judiciary Police Unit, Kenya Police Quick Response Unit and Kenya Police Marine Unit.
The changes were contained in amendments to the NPS Standing Orders published in the Kenya Gazette.
A return to an earlier design
The latest uniform is part of a process that began several years ago.
In 2023, the NPS unveiled proposed designs featuring a light-blue shirt and navy-blue trousers, together with features including the Kenya Police logo, Kenyan flag and built-in name tags.
The proposals were subjected to public participation before recommendations were submitted to police leadership.
The uniform debate has also been part of President Ruto’s broader police reform agenda.
In December 2024, Ruto announced plans for a new police uniform alongside measures targeting officers’ welfare and equipment.
For millions of Kenyans, however, the most visible sign of the changes will be on the streets, where General Duty officers are expected to gradually appear in the new uniform.
The first official look will come on Friday when President Ruto presides over the Kiganjo passing-out ceremony.
