NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto has unveiled a new uniform for General Duty officers in the Kenya Police Service as more than 6,000 recruits graduated from the National Police College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.
The new attire was unveiled on Friday, August 28, 2026, during the passing-out parade for recruits who had completed nine months of training.
The graduating officers became the first to wear the redesigned uniform, which will now be progressively rolled out to General Duty officers across the country from next week.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja had earlier confirmed that the rollout would begin on Monday, August 31.
The change follows a public participation exercise conducted in 2023, during which police officers and members of the public gave their views on the design of the police uniform.
Kanja said the new attire was based on a design that had previously been agreed upon following the consultations.
“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 new uniform replaces the deep navy-blue outfit currently worn by General Duty officers, which was introduced in 2018.
Gradual national rollout
The new uniform will initially be worn by General Duty officers under the Kenya Police Service before being introduced more widely in phases.
The Administration Police Service and General Service Unit will retain their existing operational uniforms.
Kanja has said the new attire is expected to improve police morale and contribute to better service delivery.
The uniform change comes as the National Police Service seeks to implement recommendations arising from the wider police reform process.
Ruto said the government had listened to concerns raised by officers about the existing uniform, including its quality, suitability and effect on professional identity.
“Officers expressed legitimate concerns about the current uniform, including its quality, suitability, and effect on professional identity,” the President said.
He cautioned, however, that a change of clothing alone would not transform the police service.
“We appreciate that a uniform does not necessarily create professionalism. Character, discipline, training, and conduct do,” Ruto said.
The President said the government had nevertheless responded to the concerns because the identity, comfort, morale and dignity of police officers matter.
Recruits join service ahead of 2027
The more than 6,000 graduating officers are joining the National Police Service less than a year before the 2027 General Election.
Ruto told them that their new responsibilities would require discipline, impartiality and respect for the Constitution.
He said police officers must protect citizens while enforcing the law and should not allow themselves to be used for political or criminal purposes.
The President also warned the recruits against excessive force and abuse of authority, urging them to exercise their powers with restraint.
The new officers are therefore entering the service at a time when the government is seeking to modernise policing through better equipment, training, housing, healthcare and improved working conditions.
The uniform represents one visible part of those reforms, with the wider rollout set to begin next week.
