The National Police Service (NPS) has unveiled a new design for its officers and called for the public to participate in its selection.

The new design is expected to replace the current blue, which was introduced in 2018 when Fred Matiang’i was in charge of the Interior and National Administration docket.

Selection process

“The National Police Service kindly invites members of the public to participate in the selection process for the proposed Kenya Police Service uniform,” NPS said in a statement on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.

Members of the public are invited to visit the police pavilion in South B to view the design and give their suggestions before the final choice is made.

The new kit was unveiled in February this year when Police Inspector General Japheth Koome appeared wearing it during a meeting with his deputy, Noor Gabow, and Martha Koome, the Chief Justice.

Uhuru Kenyatta’s government did away with the previous uniforms that had been in use for a long time and introduced the current ones that were said to be designed to increase officer visibility and create uniformity across all ranks during the merger of the Kenya Police and Administrative Police.

However, when William Ruto’s Kenya Kwnaza took over, the police were allowed to wear both uniforms until a final decision on which colour would be adopted is eventually made.

Ruto’s reversal of the decision made by Uhuru is said to have been informed by the shortage of the uniforms unveiled during the Matiang’i era.

Criticism

The all-blue uniform faced some criticism, especially from the public, and even Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua voiced his disapproval of the kit.

“You have suffered so much at the hands of Matiang’i and Kibicho. Even the new blue uniform that you don’t want will be revoked, and we will return to the old one. The blue one will be left for the PCEA church. It is the uniform of the women’s guild,” Gachagua said in a previous statement.