NPS Denies Nalitex Involvement in Procurement of New Police Uniforms

By Monyonge Kebati

The National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed media reports linking Nalitex Limited to the procurement and manufacture of the new Kenya Police Service General Duty uniforms.

In a press statement issued Sunday, the NPS said Nalitex Limited did not participate in any stage of the procurement process and was neither awarded the contract nor engaged as a subcontractor.

The Service said the new uniforms are being manufactured by Bedi Investments Limited, which it said was lawfully awarded the contract to manufacture and stitch the new General Duty uniforms.

According to the NPS, the decision to change the police uniform was made as part of wider police reforms recommended by the Maraga Task Force on Police Reforms, chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga.

The Service said consultations with police officers showed overwhelming dissatisfaction with the existing uniform, with officers expressing a preference for a change and a return to the previous uniform colours.

The Kenya Police Service Uniform Committee subsequently worked with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to develop the required standards for the new uniform.

The NPS said four Kenyan textile manufacturers with previous experience supplying police uniform material were invited to submit samples as part of efforts to promote local manufacturing under the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative.

The four companies were Bedi Investments Limited, Rivatex East Africa Limited, Thika Textile Mills Limited and Sunflag Textiles & Knitwear Mills.

Of the four manufacturers, the NPS said only Bedi Investments and Rivatex East Africa submitted samples within the stipulated period.

Following evaluation and public participation, the sample produced by Bedi Investments was adopted and approved through the relevant security structures.

The subsequent procurement, the Service said, was conducted in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, as well as applicable regulations and procedures.

The NPS expressed concern over what it termed an inaccurate association between its procurement process and Nalitex Limited, describing the reports as “false and malicious.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the entity referred to in the media reports as Nalitex Limited did not participate at any stage of the procurement process; was neither awarded the contract nor engaged as a subcontractor; and has received no purchase order or payment from the NPS,” the Service said.

The police service said it supports legitimate media and public scrutiny of the use of public resources, but maintained that such scrutiny should be based on complete, accurate and verifiable information.

The statement was signed by Muchiri Nyaga, Director of Corporate Communication and NPS Spokesperson, and dated August 30, 2026.

The NPS further reaffirmed its commitment to police reforms, transparency, accountability and responsible use of public resources.