The old police uniform is back, why is DIG Lagat in GSU gear?
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat (left), in full GSU combat uniform, including the Unit’s signature red beret, with his Principal Deputy, Patrick Tito, at the National Police Service College, Magadi Field Campus, on 11 September 2026.
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The return of Kenya’s old police uniform has raised an intriguing question: why has Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, been appearing in different forms of the General Service Unit (GSU) uniform?
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, in full GSU ceremonial dress, with General Service Unit Commandant Johana Tonui looking on.
On 8 September 2026, DIG Lagat wore the ceremonial GSU dress at the National Police Service College, Embakasi ‘B’ Campus, during a full-dress pass-outparade rehearsal for recruits. Three days later, on 11 September, he appeared at the National Police Service College, Magadi Field Campus, in the GSU tactical combat uniform.
The appearance came against the backdrop of the Government’s decision to revert to the old police uniform, which had been abolished in 2018 following the introduction of the deep-blue police uniform during the tenure of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The reversion came amid the release of the National Taskforce on Police Reforms Report as a leak by the head of the taskforce, retired Chief Justice David Maraga. The leak release happened after a one week ultimatum in what Maraga termed as the Government’s failure to officially publish it immediately after it was handed to President William Ruto. The report revealed that the proposed return to the old police uniform was, in fact, a recommendation of the Maraga-led taskforce.
DIG Eliud Lagat in the pre-2018 police uniform, reintroduced on 28 August 2026 during the Kiganjo Police pass-out parade, as recommended by the Maraga-led taskforce for three years pending the design of a new uniform.The taskforce report noted widespread dissatisfaction with the deep-blue uniform, with officers and members of the public questioning its colour and quality, and whether it projected professionalism, confidence and pride in the Service.
“Officers of the NPS and the public overwhelmingly expressed their displeasure with the current uniform. Many noted that the colour and quality of the uniform do not communicate professionalism, confidence and pride in the Service. The new uniform had left NPS officers looking like civilian guards,” the Maraga-led Report of the National Taskforce on Police Reforms stated in part, under the section on police uniforms.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat (second left), with Principal Deputy Patrick Tito, GSU Commandant Johana Tonui, Assistant Inspector General of Police, and National Police Service College Embakasi ‘B’ Campus Commandant Dickens Njogu during the GSU recruits’ course closure at the National Police Service College, Magadi Field Campus.
So, is DIG Lagat’s appearance in GSU uniform linked to the return of the old police uniform? Not quite. Our review established that the GSU uniform has a different story. DIG Lagat is a GSU-trained officer whose career is deeply rooted in the Unit. He rose through the ranks to serve as Commandant of the General Service Unit. Speaking during the full-dress rehearsal at Embakasi ‘B’ Campus, he reflected on his long association with the Unit.
“Let me say something personal about this place. I have stood on this parade ground many times, on different missions. Having served as the Commandant of the General Service Unit, this place has always been home to me,” he said.
Adding that “I know the pride that comes with being part of the GSU family. I also know the pride that comes with wearing the GSU badge. Wear it with honour and courage.” His remarks at the GSU recruits’ course closure at the National Police College, Magadi Field Campus, offered another glimpse into that connection.
“This ground carries a proud legacy of producing the finest among the finest in the police service. From Kowop in Samburu to Ol Pejeta, Ngong, Kora and finally to this site in Magadi in 1981, this camp has remained a place where officers are tested, hardened and prepared for the realities of duty,” the Deputy Inspector General told the recruits.
For Lagat, a certified expert in explosives and post-blast investigations, the GSU uniform is not a statement about the return of the old general police uniform, which he wore immediately after its official reintroduction. Rather, it reflects his professional journey and longstanding association with the Unit.
Before becoming Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kenya Police Service, he held several strategic roles, including Commandant of the General Service Unit (GSU), Head of the Investigation Bureau, Head of the Bomb and Hazardous Materials Unit, and Deputy Head of the Crime Scene Support Unit.
He also led the Forensic Bomb Disposal Unit and the Directorate of Reforms at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters. He holds a Master’s degree in Armed Conflict and Peace Studies and a Bachelor of Technology in Automotive Engineering.
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