The tender for the supply of new police uniforms has been shrouded in secrecy, with even National Police Service (NPS) bosses remaining tight-lipped. Even so, sources gave the Nation the identity of some of the firms awarded the contract.
The winning bidders and cost of the contract are among secrets that only a handful of government bureaucrats know.
The new uniform, said to be the product of extensive public engagement, was launched by President William Ruto during the passing out parade of recruits at the National Police College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County, yesterday.
It will be worn by the 60,000 general duty officers. Some sources say a set costs Sh25,000, meaning fitting each officer with two sets will cost the taxpayer Sh3 billion.
The uniform features a light blue shirt/blouse, paired with a deep-navy pair of blue trousers. It retires the disliked all-Persian blue uniforms launched in September 2018, and the white blouses.
A uniform committee chaired by the Vice Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces approves the attire of the country’s security officers.
The other members are a representative from the NPS, the Kenya Prisons Service, the Kenya Forest Service, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the National Youth Service.
Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja and NPS spokesman Muchiri Nyaga did not respond to inquiries on who the suppliers of the uniform are and the cost.
Ms Bernice Lemedeket, the Secretary for Administration and the accounting officer of the NPS, did not respond to our inquiries, with Government Spokesperson Charles Owino also keeping off the matter.
Recently, Mr Kanja said the uniform would first be worn by the graduating recruits.
“We have been using the deep blue one, but will go to the one agreed upon. I will be in the new uniform on Monday,” he said.
The police boss added that the outfit is part of the implementation of the recommendations of the task force on police reforms that was chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga.
Before launching the uniform, the NPS sent an internal communication notifying officers whose measurements were taken that they would get their sets after the graduation ceremony.
President William Ruto and Inspector-General (IG) of the National Police Service Douglas Kanja admire the new officers' uniform during the passing-out parade of more than 6,000 police recruits at the National Police College Main Campus in Kiganjo, Nyeri County.
Photo credit: PCS
Administration Police Service and General Service Unit personnel will maintain their camouflage and signature uniforms to avoid confusion during joint operations.
Mr Kanja said the uniforms would be gradually introduced to all general duty officers “to improve morale and service”.
“In the few coming weeks, we will see the uniform that was approved sometime ago. I think this will also be a force multiplier,” he said.
The set comprises the light blue shirt/blouse, deep navy-blue trousers, a jacket, T-shirt, a beret, sweater, socks, belt, lanyard and a raincoat.
The ceremonial attire, featuring a deep navy-blue base, goes for about Sh30,000 per unit. It comprises matching navy-blue trousers, a structured navy-blue jacket, a sharp peak cap and a Sam Browne leather belt.
The amount does not include the additional cost of police boots, which range from Sh3,000 to Sh5,000 a pair.
But even as NPS top brass remained mum over who bagged the tender, the Saturday Nation learnt that the deal has several lots, each given to a different firm.
One of the lots, sources said, has been awarded to a company associated with an influential lawmaker.
A police source added that a prominent businessman, with interests in manufacturing, has been awarded another lot.
Nairobi-based firm Nalitex Ltd also has a lot. The company, Business Registration Service records show, is owned by Selpha Chesimi Temoi, who is the sole shareholder.
The Saturday Nation also learnt that the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security was kept out of the matter. The team, chaired by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, got to learn of the new uniform during the budget implementation tour of the police college in Kiganjo on August 21.
Mr Tongoyo did not respond to inquiries sent to his known mobile number, but committee members who did not want to go on record admitted that NPS kept them in the dark about the outfit.
“As one of the stakeholders, we were not carried along in this matter,” said a member of the committee.
“We learnt of it through the media. When we went to Kiganjo, NPS did not reveal details about the supplier and the money involved.”
Senior Assistant Inspector General of police (SAIG) Peter Ndung’u explaining to the police officers and members of the public on the new proposed police uniform during the ongoing public participation by the Kenya Police Service to select a new police uniform at the Nakuru K9 Regional headquarters in Nakuru city on September 1,2023.
Photo credit: File | Nation
Another lawmaker said the committee plans to summon Mr Kanja and other officers to appraise them of the matter.
“We oversee the NPS and appropriate its budget every year. They will have nowhere to hide as far as accountability is concerned,” the MP added.
The uniforms being phased out were made by textile firms based in Thika, Kitui, Nakuru and Eldoret under the “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” drive.
The bright Persian blue uniform became the target of mockery from the day it was launched. Police officers said the design lacked style.
There were also complaints regarding fabric quality, with many saying the material was not durable, faded fast and was uncomfortable during long shifts.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna yesterday said the government is focused on cosmetic “shiny” changes instead of genuine police reforms.
The selection of the outfit centred around public and institutional participation to correct the mistakes of 2018.
