Kenya Police Service Unveils New General Duty Uniform

The Government has unveiled a new uniform for General Duty officers in the Kenya Police Service, following consultations with police officers and members of the public and recommendations by the Presidential Taskforce on Police Reforms.

President William Ruto officially announced the rollout during a pass-out parade for police recruits at the National Police Training College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.

Ruto said the graduating officers would be the first members of the Kenya Police Service to wear the new uniform, before it is progressively introduced to General Duty officers across the country.

“The graduating officers will be the first to wear the new uniform. It will then be progressively rolled out to General Duty officers throughout the country, effective next week,” Ruto said.

The new uniform follows consultations conducted in 2023 involving police officers and members of the public, alongside recommendations made by the Presidential Taskforce on Police Reforms.

New Uniform to Be Rolled Out Nationwide

According to the President, the rollout will initially target General Duty officers in the Kenya Police Service.

However, officers serving in the Administration Police Service (APS) and the General Service Unit (GSU) will retain their existing operational uniforms.

The Government says the changes are intended to address concerns raised by police officers regarding the quality and sustainability of the previous uniform.

Focus on Morale and Professional Identity

Ruto acknowledged that a police uniform by itself cannot determine the professionalism of an officer.

He said professionalism ultimately depends on the character, discipline, training and conduct of individual officers.

“We appreciate that a uniform does not necessarily create professionalism. Character, discipline, training, and conduct do,” Ruto said.

The President, however, said the Government had listened to officers' concerns because their identity, comfort, morale and dignity remain important to effective policing.

“But the Government has listened because the identity, comfort, morale, and dignity of our officers matter greatly,” he added.

Police Reforms Continue

The introduction of the new uniform forms part of broader efforts to implement recommendations arising from police reform initiatives.

The Presidential Taskforce on Police Reforms has previously examined issues affecting the welfare, working conditions and professionalism of Kenya's security agencies.

The Government's latest move places emphasis not only on the appearance of police officers but also on improving their working environment and professional identity.

As the new uniform begins its nationwide rollout, General Duty officers will gradually transition from the previous attire, while specialised units such as the APS and GSU continue using their current operational uniforms.