The Kenya parliament has decided that people can’t wear a suit named after the late Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda in the building.
The Speaker of Parliament, Moses Wetangula, said that Kaunda suits and traditional African clothes are not allowed.
Kenyan President William Ruto usually wears them for important events.
This has made the Kaunda suit popular with politicians. It’s a safari jacket with matching trousers.
The suit is called after the former president of Zambia who liked to wear them and made them popular among political leaders in sub-Saharan Africa.
The suit, also known as the Mao Zedong suit, doesn’t have a collar and often has short sleeves.
On Tuesday, Mr Wetangula said he banned the suit because new fashion trends were not following the dress code for Parliament.
He said that men should wear a coat, collared shirt, tie, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, and shoes.
“Ladies can wear business attire, formal clothes, or smart casual outfits. ” Skirts and dresses should be long enough to cover the knees and look appropriate. “He said we can’t wear shirts without sleeves,”
The Kaunda suit has been worn by some Members of Parliament in the past and it has been allowed in parliament.
Mr Wetangula admitted that these kinds of suits were allowed in the past, but now it’s important to stop allowing them because they go against the rules for how to dress in parliament.
The Kaunda suit has become popular on social media in Kenya because Mr. Ruto started wearing them at official events.
The decision to not allow people to wear suits has caused different reactions on social media. Some people are confused why an African parliament would ban traditional African clothing, while others agree with the decision.
Some people made fun of the ban, saying that only the president would be allowed to wear the Kaunda suit.
“Right when you think you’ve seen everything. “I think the suits like Kaunda’s have been saved for the president,” said someone on X (formerly Twitter).
Tag: Kenya Parliament
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Kenyan parliament outlaws president’s favourite Kaunda suits
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Scuffles in Kenya parliament over which coalition holds majority
Members of Kenya’s National Assembly engaged in a near-fight on Thursday evening, October 6, over which party has the majority in the legislature.
The decision by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to declare the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition as having the majority as against the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition, triggered the confusion.
His decision to add 14 MPs who contest the last polls under the Azimio umbrella but switched sides to Kenya Kwanza after the August 9 polls, was behind the disagreement that nearly turned physical.
After reading a ruling on the status of both coalitions, the Speaker concluded: “I am therefore persuaded that the 14 members and their parties are part of Kenya Kwanza which brings their membership to 179 members and Azimio 157. This indicates that Kenya Kwanza is the Majority party and Azimio minority.”
Videos showed one MP at a point trying to take the mace whiles at another point the Speaker was being heckled as he made his way out of the chamber after delivering his ruling.
The National Assembly is due to vet ministerial nominees of President William Ruto, and the ruling was widely expected given that it will determine how smooth or otherwise the process will go.
Source: Ghanaweb