By Valentine Omondi
The National Police Service (NPS) has moved to set the record straight over the procurement of Kenya’s new police uniforms, denying reports linking Nalitex Limited to the Sh2.8 billion tender and identifying Bedi Investments Limited as the company awarded the contract.
In a statement issued on Sunday, August 30, NPS Director of Corporate Communication Muchiri Nyaga said Nalitex did not participate in the procurement process at any stage and was neither awarded the contract nor engaged as a subcontractor.
The Service further said Nalitex had not received any purchase order or payment from the NPS, describing reports linking the company to the procurement as false and malicious.
“For clarity, the new police uniforms are being manufactured by M/s Bedi Investments Limited, which was lawfully awarded the contract by the National Police Service,” the statement said.
NPS Explains Procurement Process
According to the Service, the new General Duty uniform is part of wider police reforms and was not introduced as a sudden decision.
NPS said the change followed recommendations of the Maraga Task Force on Police Reforms, chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga. Police officers were consulted during the process, with the Service saying many expressed dissatisfaction with the existing uniform and preferred a change.
The Kenya Police Service Uniform Committee subsequently worked with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to develop standards for the new attire.
NPS said four local textile manufacturers with previous experience supplying police uniform material were invited to submit samples. They were Bedi Investments Limited, Rivatex East Africa Limited, Thika Textile Mills Limited and Sunflag Textiles & Knitwear Mills.
Only Bedi Investments and Rivatex submitted samples within the stipulated period. Following evaluation and public participation, the sample submitted by Bedi Investments was selected and approved, after which the company was awarded the contract under the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.
The clarification comes two days after President William Ruto unveiled the new General Duty uniform during the passing-out parade of police recruits at the National Police College in Kiganjo, Nyeri County, on August 28.
The rollout has since attracted public and political scrutiny, particularly over the identity of the contractor and the reported cost of the procurement.
Leaders Question Cost and Priority
Before the NPS clarification, Democratic Action Party of Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa had demanded answers over the procurement, with reports putting the value of the contract at nearly Sh3 billion.
Wamalwa called for the cancellation of the tender, arguing that the government should prioritise police reforms, better remuneration and improved working conditions instead of spending heavily on new uniforms.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino also questioned the expenditure, describing the reported Sh2.5 billion allocation for the uniforms as a misplaced priority. He argued that the money could instead support job creation, factories and students struggling to meet education costs.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has also questioned the reported cost of the uniforms. During an opposition rally in Meru, Khalwale claimed he had been told by a River Road tailor that a set could be produced for about Sh14,000, contrasting this with a figure of Sh39,000 that he cited at the rally.
The NPS statement, however, puts the focus back on the procurement process, maintaining that Bedi Investments was the legitimate contractor and that Nalitex had no role in the development, selection, procurement or manufacture of the new police uniform.
