The ban on Kaunda suit in parliament does not apply to MPs alone but all Kenyans including President William Ruto, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has said.
Speaking in Mombasa during the Editors Guild Convention on Friday, Wetang'ula said Parliament has its rules which must be adhered to.
“Even the president must come to parliament in suit and not Kaunda suit. That is why we have strict rules because leaders must adhere to them,” he said.
He said the rules are meant to give the house the honour it deserves and ensure decorum is maintained at all times.
He gave an example of how he once saw an MP entering the chamber with a gun.
“The MP entered the chamber with a gun so you can imagine what can take place when people get angry. So rules must be obeyed," he said.
The National Assembly speaker referred to Rule 9 of the Speaker’s Rules which outlines the dress code of MPs.
He declared that the suits also referred to as Mao Zedong coats, were improper attire by House norms.
He said legislators would no longer be permitted to enter the chamber, lounge, dining room, or commute rooms without appropriate clothing.
“My predecessors have had no issue with Kaunda suit. Going forward, any attire outside what is prescribed in rule 9 of the Speaker’s Rules is prohibited. This includes Kaunda suits, whether long or short-sleeved,” he said.
President William Ruto after capturing the presidency surprised many Kenyans with the Kaunda suit dress code.
Before clinching the presidency, Ruto was hardly seen in a Kaunda sit.
His choice of the Kaunda suit as a regular dress code so tens of MPs opt for it.
Some went further to attend parliamentary sittings donning Kaunda suits.
The move saw Speaker Wetang'ula impose a ban.
In a country like Tanzania, the Kaunda suit is one of the official dress codes of members of parliament,
