KIGANJO, Nyeri County—Expectant police officers are set to benefit from new uniform arrangements unveiled as part of Kenya’s redesigned General Duty police attire.
The new uniform, unveiled by President William Ruto on Friday during the passing-out parade of more than 6,000 recruits at the National Police College in Kiganjo, introduces a new look for General Duty officers while providing specific considerations for women officers during pregnancy.
The redesigned attire replaces the previous predominantly deep-blue appearance with a combination of light sky-blue and deep navy blue.
For male and female officers, the standard uniform consists of a light sky-blue short-sleeved shirt and deep navy-blue straight-cut trousers, accompanied by either a navy-blue beret or peak cap carrying the police insignia.
Polished black leather combat or service boots complete the standard outfit.
For women officers, the new arrangements include provisions designed to accommodate expectant policewomen during pregnancy.
The uniform also features a Kenyan flag patch on the upper sleeve, updated National Police Service markings and shoulder epaulettes for rank insignia.
Other features include lanyard attachment loops, two chest pockets with buttoned flaps and reinforced stitching at stress points intended to improve durability during duty.
Design follows consultations
The redesigned uniform follows a public participation exercise conducted in 2023, with the National Police Service saying the final design reflected feedback from officers.
Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja said the service had returned to a design that had previously been agreed upon following consultations with police 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 officers, particularly those joining the service.
“This is also going to be a force multiplier in terms of morale boosting for our officers, especially the new recruits,” Kanja said.
More than 6,000 recruits to wear new design
The unveiling coincided with the graduation of more than 6,000 Police Recruit Constables who had completed nine months of training at Kiganjo.
The recruits reported to the National Police College on November 24, 2025, and underwent training in areas including police procedures, legal studies, tactics, criminal investigations, human rights and community policing.
They will form the first major group of officers to enter active service in the redesigned attire.
The new uniform will initially be used by General Duty officers in the Kenya Police Service, with the rollout scheduled to begin on Monday, August 31.
The transition will be progressive, with serving officers adopting the new attire as their existing uniforms are replaced.
Officers in the Administration Police Service and the General Service Unit will retain their current operational uniforms.
The change marks the latest adjustment to the visual identity of Kenya’s General Duty police officers following consultations on the suitability and design of police attire.
The government has said the uniform change forms part of broader efforts to improve police welfare, morale and professionalism.
