Amanze Chinonye
Kenya’s President William Ruto on Friday unveiled a redesigned police uniform that includes dedicated maternity wear for expectant female officers, as more than 6,000 newly trained police constables passed out at a ceremony in Kiganjo, Nyeri County, Prime Business Africa reports.
The maternity outfits, consisting of muted or slate-blue dresses designed to accommodate pregnancy, were displayed alongside the new attire for General Duty officers at the Kenya Police Training College.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe redesigned uniform replaces the deep navy-blue clothing currently worn by General Duty officers with a lighter-blue shirt or blouse and deep-navy trousers.
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Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja said the new uniforms would be rolled out to General Duty officers from Monday, Aug. 31, with the process taking place progressively.
“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, adding that he would also wear the new uniform from Monday.
The changes follow a 2023 public participation exercise in which police officers and members of the public provided views on proposed designs. Kanja said the new outfit was intended to boost officers’ morale and improve service delivery.
The maternity provision addresses a practical challenge faced by pregnant officers, whose standard clothing was not designed to accommodate pregnancy. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced plans for dedicated maternity uniforms in 2025, saying existing police clothing, including trousers and belts, was unsuitable for expectant officers.
Ruto was shown the different uniform designs before presiding over the passing-out parade. He was accompanied by Murkomen, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat, Directorate of Criminal Investigations Director Mohamed Amin and other senior government officials.
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The initial rollout applies to General Duty officers in the Kenya Police Service. Specialised formations, including the Administration Police Service and General Service Unit, will retain their existing uniforms as the changes are introduced in phases.
The ceremony marked the completion of training for a new cohort of police constables. While officials and media reports put the number passing out at more than 6,000, a separate report identified 2,881 recruits 2,338 men and 543 women as the cohort graduating from the National Police College’s main campus in Kiganjo.
The maternity uniform forms part of a broader overhaul of police attire aimed at improving its practicality and responding to concerns raised during the public consultation process.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
