Fine powder of KI was coloured in an electrodeless discharge. Due to quick bleaching of the F centres produced in this method, it was possible to prepare the samples that were almost free from the F centres. High concentration of the electron deficient centres could be produced, which were studied by measuring the diffused reflectance. A band at 354 nm is shown to be composed of two overlapping bands. Further, growth of a band appearing at 265 nm is studied. Bleaching characteristics of the samples are studied and it is shown that, similar to F centre bleaching, bleaching of these samples also proceeds in at least two steps. The difference between two components of the bleaching curves is quite marked. Further it is showed that the components are related to the presence of different absorption bands and appear at different stages of colouration.