Ruto new police uniform was officially unveiled today at the Kenya Police Training College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County. President William Ruto presented the redesigned attire during a pass-out parade for more than 6,000 recruits who completed nine months of training. The graduating officers become the first to wear the new look as they prepare for deployment across the country.
The change ends an eight-year run for the deep navy-blue uniform introduced after the merger of the Administration Police and Kenya Police services. The refreshed design responds to feedback from officers and the public gathered in 2023 and forms part of ongoing efforts to modernise the image and improve the welfare of the National Police Service.
What the New Uniform Looks Like
New Police Uniform
The Ruto new police uniform replaces the previous all-deep-blue appearance with a dual-tone combination. Officers will wear a light sky-blue short-sleeved shirt paired with deep navy-blue straight-cut trousers. The design applies uniformly to both male and female officers, eliminating the white blouses previously worn by women.
Additional features include:
- A navy-blue beret or peak cap bearing the official police insignia
- Polished black leather combat or service boots
- The Kenya Police logo displayed on the left sleeve
- The Kenyan flag placed on the right sleeve
Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja personally briefed President Ruto on the new features during the unveiling. Kanja announced that he would begin wearing the uniform from Monday, 31 August 2026, to lead by example.
Why the Change Was Made
President Ruto explained that the redesign followed consultations with police officers and members of the public conducted in 2023, together with recommendations from the Presidential Task Force on Police Reforms. Officers had raised legitimate concerns about the quality, suitability and professional identity associated with the outgoing deep navy-blue uniform.
Inspector-General Kanja noted that the update effectively reverts to a design already agreed upon after the 2023 public participation exercise. In that process, officers rejected the deep-blue outfit introduced under the previous administration. The original blue design, first modelled by then Inspector-General Japhet Koome in February 2023, had been intended to create a unified appearance across ranks following the AP-KPS merger. However, it drew criticism over comfort and practicality during long shifts in heat or rain.
Fabric choices and cuts for the new uniform were informed directly by officer feedback. The lighter sky-blue shirt is expected to improve comfort in Kenya’s varied climate while maintaining a professional and easily identifiable appearance for the public.
Rollout Plan
Distribution of the Ruto new police uniform begins on Monday, 31 August 2026. Graduating recruits from today’s Kiganjo parade will be among the first officers in the field wearing the new attire. The National Police Service will roll out the uniforms progressively across the country in the days and weeks that follow.
New police uniform unvailed
The change applies specifically to General Duty officers within the Kenya Police Service. A gradual approach has been chosen to keep the transition orderly and to manage logistics of fitting and issuing thousands of new sets of attire.
GSU and Administration Police Retain Current Uniforms
President Ruto clarified that the uniform change is limited to General Duty officers. Officers serving in the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Administration Police Service (AP) will retain their current uniforms for now. No immediate timeline has been given for when — or whether — those specialised branches will receive a similar redesign.
Kanja indicated that the new attire would be reintroduced gradually among General Duty officers first. Other branches will wait their turn so that the overall rollout remains orderly and does not disrupt operational readiness.
Uniform decisions of this nature are guided by a uniform committee. The committee comprises representatives from Kenya’s various security agencies, including the Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service and National Youth Service. It is chaired by the Vice Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces.
Context of the Ceremony
The pass-out parade and uniform unveiling were attended by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Inspector-General Douglas Kanja, Deputy Inspector-General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat, and Directorate of Criminal Investigations Director Mohamed Amin.
The more than 6,000 recruits reported to the Kenya Police Training College in November 2025. Their graduation marks the formal entry of a large new cohort into the National Police Service at a time when the force continues to prioritise training, discipline and public trust.
The National Police Service has described the rollout as part of a broader push to modernise its image and improve officer welfare. By responding directly to feedback gathered from serving personnel over recent years, the Service aims to boost morale and, in turn, enhance service delivery to the public.
Broader Significance
Uniforms carry both practical and symbolic weight in any disciplined force. A comfortable, weather-appropriate design can improve performance during long hours on duty. A clear, consistent appearance also strengthens public recognition and professional identity.
The decision to involve officers and the public in the 2023 consultations reflects an attempt to move away from top-down uniform changes that previously generated resistance. By returning to a design that officers themselves preferred, the National Police Service hopes the new look will be more readily accepted and worn with pride.
Whether the dual-tone sky-blue and navy combination achieves the intended goals of comfort, practicality and improved public perception will become clearer in the coming months as the uniforms appear on streets and stations across Kenya.
What Happens Next
From Monday, Kenyans can expect to see the first General Duty officers in the new attire. Distribution will continue in phases so that existing stocks of the old uniform can be phased out without waste. Specialised units such as the GSU and Administration Police will continue in their present uniforms until further decisions are made by the uniform committee.
Inspector-General Kanja’s decision to wear the new uniform himself from the first day of rollout sends a clear signal of leadership commitment to the change. The graduating class of more than 6,000 officers will carry the new look into their first postings, giving the redesign immediate national visibility.
The Ruto new police uniform is the latest visible step in the ongoing evolution of the National Police Service. How quickly the remaining General Duty officers receive the attire, and whether other branches eventually follow, will determine the full impact of today’s unveiling at Kiganjo.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Ruto new police uniform unveiled?
President William Ruto unveiled the new uniform on 28 August 2026 during the pass-out parade at the Kenya Police Training College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.
What does the new uniform look like?
It features a light sky-blue short-sleeved shirt paired with deep navy-blue straight-cut trousers. Officers also wear a navy-blue beret or peak cap, black leather boots, the Kenya Police logo on the left sleeve and the Kenyan flag on the right sleeve.
Who will wear the new uniform?
The change applies to General Duty officers of the Kenya Police Service. Graduating recruits from the Kiganjo parade are the first to wear it. GSU and Administration Police officers will retain their current uniforms for now.
When does the rollout begin?
Distribution starts on Monday, 31 August 2026, and will continue progressively across the country in the following weeks.
Why was the previous deep navy-blue uniform replaced?
Officers raised concerns about comfort, quality and professional identity during 2023 consultations. The new design reflects feedback from that public participation exercise and recommendations from the Presidential Task Force on Police Reforms.
Will GSU and Administration Police also get new uniforms?
Not at this stage. President Ruto and Inspector-General Kanja confirmed that the change is limited to General Duty officers. Other branches will be considered later to keep the rollout orderly.
