When it comes to government spending, Kenyans rarely miss a detail—and for good reason. So, when the government unveiled new uniforms for the Kenya Police Service, eyes quickly shifted from the new design to the paperwork behind it.

Following days of heated online debate and media reports claiming a newly formed, two-year-old firm had bagged a multi-billion shilling supply deal, the National Police Service (NPS) stepped forward on August 30, 2026, to clear the air.

The Controversy: How the Rumors Started

The drama began shortly after President William Ruto officially unveiled the new look—sky-blue shirts paired with navy-blue trousers and berets—during a passing-out parade at the Police Training College in Kiganjo on August 28.

Almost immediately, reports began circulating across social media and news outlets. Rumors suggested that a tender valued between KSh 2.5 billion and KSh 3 billion had been quietly handed to Nalitex Limited, a company incorporated just two years ago with alleged political ties.

Given the economic climate, the public wanted answers: Was this a rushed, opaque process, or was there more to the story?

Who Is Actually Making the Uniforms?

Addressing the media, NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga firmly shut down the rumors surrounding Nalitex Limited, calling the reports flat-out false.

According to the police service, Nalitex Limited was never part of the picture. The company did not bid, was not awarded any contract, was not hired as a subcontractor, and has not received a single shilling of taxpayer money.

Instead, the contract to manufacture and stitch the new uniforms was awarded to Bedi Investments Limited, a well-established local textile manufacturer, following established procurement laws.

Here is how the NPS says the selection process unfolded under the government’s Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative:

• Restricted Bidding: The NPS invited four major local textile mills with proven experience—Bedi Investments, Rivatex East Africa, Thika Textile Mills, and Sunflag Textiles.

• Sample Submissions: Out of the four, only Bedi Investments and Rivatex submitted design samples for technical testing.

• Final Selection: After quality testing by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and internal reviews, Bedi’s design sample came out on top and was officially selected.

Why Change the Uniforms in the First Place?

Beyond the money, many Kenyans asked a simpler question: Why change the uniforms again so soon after the 2018 redesign?

The police service explained that the change was not an arbitrary decision made behind closed doors. It was a direct recommendation from the Maraga Task Force on Police Reforms, led by Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga.

During public hearings and internal consultations across the country, police officers expressed widespread frustration with the previous deep-blue uniforms. Officers overwhelming asked to return to the traditional sky-blue and navy-blue combination, citing comfort, practical wear, and institutional identity.

The Bigger Picture

While public skepticism around government procurement is understandable, the NPS emphasized the importance of grounding debates in verified facts.

As Bedi Investments begins production, the focus now turns from procurement disputes to implementation—ensuring officers across Kenya receive quality, durable uniforms that serve them well on the job.