Underfire Governor Dons Military-like Uniform, Sparks Debate
A photograph of Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti wearing a military-style uniform has stirred controversy about whether civilians should be permitted to dress like disciplined soldiers.
Governor Ndeti posted the image on Tuesday, November 4. She was dressed in a blue uniform with a well-fitted jacket embroidered with gold epaulettes, which are a common component of rank insignia in ceremonial military uniforms.
Machakos Youth Empowerment Program Day🥹😌 pic.twitter.com/NQ48GtM2JQ
— Wavinya Ndeti Oduwole, EGH (@Wavinya_Ndeti) November 4, 2025
The double-breasted jacket had gold braiding, and her straight-cut blue trousers gave a stylish and commanding touch.
The uniform was finished with a blue, glossy, peaked cap with a badge on the front. This sort of headwear is standard in military and official clothing.
The outfit was adorned with a gold aiguillette (a decorative string) draped over the shoulder, a decoration often reserved for high-ranking officials or ceremonial functions.
According to Ndeti, the image represented the Machakos Youth Empowerment Program Day, a county program established in January 2025.
To tackle unemployment, the initiative trains more than 1,000 underprivileged teenagers each year in practical skills, discipline, and entrepreneurship.
The photograph was initially taken in February, when the first cohort of young people graduated. Today is the second cohort’s graduation day.
However, her uniform generated controversy, with Makau Mutua, President William Ruto’s counselor on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, criticizing the governor for wearing it.
Mutua pointed out that the President was the only civilian who could wear military or military-style uniforms.
“Why are some civilian leaders donning military or military-like garb in Kenya? The only civilian who can wear military garb is the President in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces,” he said.
Why are some civilian leaders donning military or military-like garb in Kenya? The only civilian who can wear military garb is the President in his role as Commander-in-Chief of Kenya Defence Forces. All others must stop this fascination with military uniforms and protocols. pic.twitter.com/K2QBwKSF6Z
— Prof Makau Mutua (@makaumutua) November 4, 2025
“All others must stop this fascination with military uniforms and protocols,” Mutua added.
What the law says:
According to the Kenyan Constitution, it is unlawful for unauthorised personnel to dress up in military or military-like regalia.
The law prohibits the unauthorised use, sale, or possession of military uniforms and equipment. This is actually a serious offence that can lead to arrest, imprisonment, or fines.
According to the Kenya Defence Force Act of 2012, if someone wears or uses military gear or falsely represents themselves as a member of the military, they can face a fine of up to Ksh2 million or imprisonment of up to seven years or both.
Both the police and the military have previously raised concerns about citizens wearing official or ceremonial uniforms, citing a security risk.
Robbers posing as police officers in uniform have been reported, and both the police and the KDF have arrested citizens wearing stolen official uniforms.
In the past, government officials such as Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who served as Interior Cabinet Secretary, and former Public Service CS Moses Kuria have been seen wearing military-style clothing.
This raised questions about whether they were permitted to wear the clothes.
Underfire Governor Dons Military-like Uniform, Sparks Debate
