President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday launched new uniforms that will be donned by police officers.

Speaking during the National Security Conference, Mr. Kenyatta said that 24,572 Administration Police Service officers will join 39,680 Kenya Police Service to form General Duty Police.

These officers will conduct their operations in the new all-blue uniform and will be under the command of Deputy Inspector General.

"We want to have better visibility of the officers by introducing the new uniforms," he said.

At the same time, Mr. Kenyatta said that Administration police officers will now have the powers to arrest and take offenders to the court.

“All police wards posts and out-posts formerly under the administration police service shall fall under the General Duty police. Those who thought that AP cannot take you to court you will see it take effect,” he said.

During the event, the Head of State announced other police reforms which he said were meant to improve the morale of the men and women in uniform.

"These reforms are aimed at making the police a service that is respected rather than a force that is feared," he added.