Female police officers in Kenya will, for the first time, receive maternity uniforms as part of a planned overhaul of the National Police Service.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said on Thursday, August 4, the change will address a long-standing gap in the service’s uniform policy.

“I have instructed Inspector General Douglas Kanja and Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat that future police uniforms must include maternity wear for female officers,” said Murkomen.

He observed that many women join the service young, and the current uniforms do not account for pregnancy.

“When they get married and get children, and when they are expecting, they need to have a good uniform,” noted Murkomen.

The announcement came at the close of the Officer Commanding Station Consultative Conference in Ngong, where Murkomen also outlined other reforms including redesigning police stations to have gender desks, child protection units, officer-in-charge offices, closed-circuit television surveillance and computerised systems.

President William Ruto has approved funding in the upcoming supplementary budget to build about 300 new stations, with more expected through the Constituency Development Fund.

Murkomen explained that a new framework will address stalled promotions, linking career progression to pay and schemes of service.

 “Corporals who have served for 15 years and constables who are 50 years old should be promoted on merit,” he said.

Other measures include a five-year limit for officers in one station, an annual recognition day to reward exemplary service and fresh recruitment later this month.

Murkomen said the reforms aim to improve welfare, modernise the service and enhance professionalism across the National Police Service.