President William Ruto, on Friday, May 5, received Bruno Shioso, the new Director General of the Kenya Coast Guard, at State House in Nairobi.
During the meeting, Ruto directed Shioso to serve the country zealously and preserve the Constitution while executing his duties.
What stood out from the meeting, was the official attire Shioso wore during the State House meeting. He donned white regalia and a cap with Kenyan emblems.
His blazer had five badges on the side, revealing his rank in the Kenya Coast Guard Structure.
However, a section of Kenyans raised concerns with others alleging that Shioso broke protocol by wearing Kenya Navy gear. Led by Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina, Shioso was castigated for reportedly usurping the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) jurisdiction.
"A police officer in naval uniform from a police spokesman to a naval. President William Ruto is totally misguided," Ledama wrote.
"This is wrong. How did the police officer come to don military uniforms?" Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai wondered.
Truth Behind the Regalia
Kenya Coast Guard is not part of Kenya Defence Forces. It was established under the Kenya Coast Guards Services Act and is under the Ministry of Interior, which Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki currently heads.
The Kenya Navy, on the other hand, is a wing of the Kenya Defence Forces established under the Constitution of Kenya.
Kenya Coast Guard Services functions include enforcing the law in territorial waters, while Kenya Navy is responsible for defending Kenya's maritime domain.
The former police spokesperson, in his new mandate, will also include guiding the Kenya Coast Guard Services in the trafficking of narcotic drugs prohibited plants in Kenya waters, prosecuting maritime offenders, protecting maritime resources, including fisheries and protecting archaeological or historical objects or sites.
Kenya Navy, on the other hand, is headed by Maj Gen Jimson Longiro Mutai.
Their regalia also differ, with Kenya Navy having different badges depending on their ranks in the Kenya Defence Forces.
