Kenya’s parliament has banned the wearing of the popular Kaunda suit, named after the late Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, within its premises.
The Speaker of Parliament, Moses Wetangula, clarified that both Kaunda suits and traditional African attire were no longer permitted, despite their popularity among the political elite.
This style, characterized by a safari jacket paired with matching trousers, gained prominence as it was favored by President William Ruto during official functions.
The Kaunda suit, also known as the Mao Zedong suit, is recognized for its collarless, short-sleeved design.
Speaker Wetangula attributed the ban to emerging fashion trends that clashed with the established dress code in parliament.
He emphasized the expected dress code for men, advocating for a specific ensemble involving a coat, collar, tie, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, socks, shoes, or service uniform.
Women were advised to adhere to business, formal, or smart casual wear, with prescribed lengths for skirts and dresses and a prohibition on sleeveless blouses.
Although these suits were previously tolerated in parliament, Mr. Wetangula stressed the need to cease their allowance due to a perceived threat to the parliamentary dress code.
The Kaunda suit gained traction on social media, particularly after President Ruto began wearing it during official events.
The ban sparked mixed reactions online, with some questioning why African attire was restricted in an African parliament, while others supported the decision.
Additionally, there were comments poking fun at the ban, suggesting that the Kaunda suit might now be exclusively reserved for the president.
Source-BBC
