Police IG Koome debuts new police uniform, Kenyans react

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome on Monday appeared for the first time wearing the new police uniform which features light blue shirts.

IG Koome was photographed wearing a light blue shirt during a meeting with his deputy, Noor Gabow, and Chief Justice Martha Koome, among other officials at the Supreme Court.

This is a shift from the all-royal blue uniform police officers have been wearing for since 2018 after former president Uhuru Kenyatta phased out the old uniforms.

At the time, the government said this was to enhance the visibility of the police and create uniformity across all ranks during the merger of the Administration Police and the Kenya Police.

But while some Kenyans have welcomed the new uniforms, many others termed colour changes a minor factor in enhancing security of the country.

They argued that the government should instead focus on fighting banditry and lowering the cost of living.

The old royal blue uniforms got mild reception from a majority of Kenyans who preferred the light blue shirts and navy blue trousers police officers had been wearing.

The issue even became a part of the Kenya Kwanza coalition’s campaign pledges.

At one point Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was famously quoted likening it to the gowns worn by the Women’s Guild of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA).

The government last month gave a directive to police officers allowing them to wear the old uniforms phased out during President Kenyatta’s regime.

Poor quality fabric and shortage of uniforms were cited as the reasons behind the reintroduction of the old uniforms.

President Ruto also assured that the government will provide officers with new sets of the new uniform, unlike in the past where the officers had to cater for the cost.