Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i has criticised the government’s planned introduction of new police uniforms, alleging that the KSh2.8 billion procurement is being used to benefit individuals connected to the administration.
Matiang’i, who is seeking the presidency, claimed that senior government officials were using companies linked to them as conduits to supply the uniforms at inflated prices.
He argued that Kenya has the capacity to produce the uniforms locally by leveraging institutions such as the National Youth Service (NYS), the Kenya Police Service (KPS) and other partners, which he said would save public resources while supporting local industries.
Matiang’i said the proposed KSh2.8 billion allocation for new Kenya Police General Duty uniforms could instead be redirected to other areas of service delivery.
“Some things are shameful. We have the capacity through the NYS, KPS, and other institutions to make the uniforms and we will be promoting local industries by procuring materials from local producers,” he said on Inooro FM.
He further alleged that senior leaders were attempting to use a company registered in 2024 to supply the uniforms, describing the arrangement as a loophole through which public funds could be siphoned.
“When you start hearing that top leaders have created a company in 2024 and it is not supplying uniforms in 2026, you do not need a degree to know what is happening there. It is theft of public money,” Matiang’i added.
The National Police Service, however, has denied reports linking Nalitex Limited to the procurement. The service said the company played no role in the tender and that the contract was instead awarded to Bedi Investments Limited.
Matiang’i compared the current uniform changes with the process undertaken in 2018 during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, saying he faced resistance from individuals who sought to advance personal interests in securing the supply contract.
He recalled instances where he said security equipment and uniforms were procured at prices significantly higher than what was available locally.
“You cannot do business with government because of conflict of interest. We have had so many problems securing tenders while in government. We found someone who was awarded a tender because they were friends with those in power to bring in police boots for Ksh.13,900 per pair. If you look for police boots locally, a pair is about Ksh.4,000,” he said.
“Some other time we had a squabble with some people saying that we buy bulletproof vests at $900 (Ksh.116,505). We then went for a G-to-G arrangement, and we saw the price is $90 (Ksh.11,650).”
Matiang’i said the government had previously saved more than KSh700 million by having new police uniforms manufactured locally through the NYS.
The Jubilee presidential flagbearer further alleged that some of the leaders he accused of influencing procurement decisions are now serving in the current administration.
“They are now in leadership and are having a field day. As the National Security Council, we agreed that there is no need to outsource the supply of uniforms and we use local institutions,” he stated.
The latest controversy comes amid renewed debate over frequent changes to Kenya’s police uniforms, with the country having gone through three uniform cycles in less than nine years.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta introduced the all-Persian blue police uniform in 2018, followed by a light blue shirt and navy blue trousers in 2023. In August 2026, another design featuring a sky-blue shirt, dark-blue trousers and berets was launched for approximately 60,000 General Duty officers.
