Kenyan Parliament Bans President’s Favourite Outfit

Kenya’s parliament has banned the wearing of a suit, named after the late Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, within the building.

Speaker of Parliament Moses Wetangula said Kaunda suits, as well as traditional African clothes, were not welcome.

Kenyan President William Ruto often wears them on official occasions.

The suit, which is also referred to as the Mao Zedong suit, is collarless and often short-sleeved.

On Tuesday, Mr Wetangula said his decision to ban the suit was due to emerging fashion trends that threatened the established parliamentary dress code.

He noted that a proper dress code for men “means a coat, a collar, a tie, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, socks, shoes, or service uniform”.

“For ladies, business, formal, or smart casual wear applies. Skirts and dresses should be below knee-length and decent. Sleeveless blouses are prohibited,” he said.

The Kaunda suit has been allowed previously in parliament and some MPs have been known for often wearing them.

Mr Wetangula acknowledged that these suits had been “somehow tolerated” in the past but that it was now time to stop that amid a threat to the parliamentary dress code.