Many were surprised to see President Uhuru Kenyatta don army regalia during the 55th celebrations of the Jamhuri Day, something he has repeatedly done especially in functions involving the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) or the armed forces.
The president first wore the military gear in 2014 when he presided over a military function at Archer’s Post in Samburu.
He also wore the uniform in the same year during the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) Day at the Kenya Military Academy in Lanet, Nakuru and also at the Kenya Navy’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa, all in 2014.
Again, in 2016 he wore the uniform during the General Service Unit (GSU) pass out parade in 2016.
As the president and the commander-in-chief of the Kenyan armed forces, the President is allowed to wear the uniform.
However, in today’s function, the president had military duties to perform, the reason he wore the uniform C-I-C ceremonial uniform.
He is handing over a military flag to the 17 battalion, a new military squad based in Garissa.
The battalion has been without a flag, as it is one of the latest battalion within the KDF.
The president would not hand over the flag (purple in colour) in his capacity as the president, but as the commander-in-chief, the reason he had to wear the uniform to identify with the battalion.