Would You Like to Don a Kaunda Suit? Not Inside the Parliament of Kenya.
President William Ruto’s favored outfit was outlawed for breaking legislative dress regulations, along with other traditional African clothing.
The speaker declared that a Western suit and tie are appropriate clothing. In recent years, the Kaunda suit has gained popularity among African politicians, celebrities, and the elderly. William Ruto, the president of Kenya, is one such convert.
Primarily worn with matching pants, the single-breasted safari jacket features patch pockets and either long or short sleeves. It gained popularity in the 1960s thanks to Kenneth Kaunda, the first post-colonial president of Zambia.
However, last week, the Kenyan Parliament outlawed the Kaunda suit as well as other traditional African attire, including women’s form-fitting apparel. The speaker of the Kenyan parliament declared that this kind of clothing is not allowed under the code, which mostly follows the fashions of a contemporary Western working wardrobe.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Moses Wetangula, stated in a speech on Tuesday that a fashion trend such as the Kaunda suit “does not accord with the seriousness of the proceedings of the house and its committees.”
He stated that “a coat, collar, tie, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, socks, shoes, or service uniform” is appropriate attire for males entering the legislative chambers.
The decision incited a social media backlash, with many people questioning why suits and ties linked with colonial powers would be preferred in an African government building over proudly African garb.
A Kenyan human rights activist named Abdullahi Halakhe said in Swahili on X, previously Twitter, “Truly, colonialism is still deeply embedded in our minds.” He included a link to an article that featured a picture of the speaker of Parliament donning the white robe and wig that date back to the British colonial era.
The flap occurs at a time when Afrocentric fashion is becoming increasingly popular on the continent and beyond, on movie screens, runways, and among consumers who are drawn to black culture and style.
The Kenyan speaker also declared that women should wear business, professional, or smart casual attire with skirts and dresses that fall below the knee, and she outlawed headgear and caps in the legislature. He said it was forbidden to wear sleeveless blouses. Both lawmakers and visitors to Parliament are subject to the restrictions.
“I am aware that some of you may find these instructions uncomfortable,” Mr. Wetangula, 67, stated. Nonetheless, pain is required for members’ comfort, security, and order.
One of the edict’s most notable targets did not seem to be paying attention.
President Ruto met with the CEO of NBA Africa the day following the announcement in Parliament. In June of this year, President Ruto donned his first Kaunda suit in public.
One day following the declaration made in Parliament, President Ruto who had worn a brown Kaunda suit for the first time since taking office in June of this year met with the CEO of NBA Africa. He wore a variation in sky blue to a government ceremony on Thursday.
Wearing a pink Kaunda suit has made him stand out.
It has become evident to many contemporary African leaders that people value politicians who are prepared to publicly embrace their ethnic background and traditional garb.
Although Goodluck Jonathan, the former president of Nigeria, frequently wore a wide-brimmed fedora-style hat that was favored by the tribal leaders in his area, Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa, was known for wearing his characteristic “Madiba” shirts in bold designs.
In an effort to promote the “Made in Rwanda” initiative, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda dons apparel created by local designers.
The short-sleeved suit was adopted by Mr. Kaunda of Zambia, the leader of his country in Southern Africa from 1964 to 1991, as a representation of African freedom and independence. The fashion had its beginnings in Australia and bore a striking resemblance to a Chinese silhouette that Chairman Mao popularized.
The Kenyan legislative speaker, Mr. Wetangula, referred to the Kaunda suits as “Mao Zedong coats” when he banned them.
The speaker is a former senator who held the position of foreign affairs minister for ten years until stepping down due to accusations of corruption. Mr. Ruto, 56, a former vice president who became well-known for being a cunning political operative and businessman, has had him as an ally.
In September of last year, he took office following a close electoral victory.
Amidst mounting public outrage and demonstrations about his administration’s performance—particularly in light of the soaring cost of food and gasoline and rising taxes—there is a ruckus in Parliament regarding the clothing code.
The president’s preference for Kaunda suits, according to Mr. Ruto’s tailor, Ashok Sunny, stems from a desire to support regional producers and designers.
He’s demonstrating that we don’t have to spend our days in suits. In an interview with TV47 in Kenya this year, Mr. Sunny stated, “We can wear the African cut, representing the African look.” “They call it the dictator look most of the time because the Kaunda suit was once popular with most old dictators,” he continued.
Fashion decisions have caused controversy in Kenya’s parliament before.
Former Nairobi governor and senator Mike Sonko was expelled from Parliament in 2011 for using ear piercings and sunglasses.
At the time, Mr. Sonko, a colorful politician renowned for his opulent lifestyle, denounced the decision, claiming he was dressing like the nation’s youth.
Content courtesy The New York Times & NFH
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