Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka has allowed members of the House to wear traditional attires to the chambers.
Speaker Lusaka cited provisions on culture and the Speaker’s rule book that details the way and manner in which the lawmakers should dress before being allowed in the chamber.
The rule book states that a member must be in a formal suit, a shirt, and tie, socks, and shoes. It also approves entry into the chamber of service uniform, religious attires like the Kanzus, and any other decent attire that must be approved.
The ruling by the Speaker comes after Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina on Tuesday attended a plenary sitting in Maasai regalia.
Ledama’s attire caused an uproar in the House prompting Lusaka to give a direction on whether the senator was properly dressed.
“Mr. Speaker, Senator Ledama is wearing what looks like Maasai regalia. Is he in order because we can also come with all kinds of attire?” Wajir Senator Abdulallahi Ibrahim asked.
Responding to the question, Lusaka said the House represented counties and each of them has its own traditional attire.
According to Lusaka, the ruling conformed to the Constitution the recognized culture.
” We all know that we represent our counties and every county has its own cultural dressing. Narok and Kajiado have their cultural dressing which is recognized the world over. So, it will be unfortunate for me to order him out of the house,” he said.
“Based on that it would be unfair and unconstitutional for me to order that Mr. Ole Kina out of the chamber on the account that he is not properly dressed.”
“I rule he is properly dressed and he must remain in the chamber,” to thunderous applause from the House.
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Kenya’s Constitution recognizes culture as the foundation of the nation and as the cumulative civilization of the Kenyan people and nation.
Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot lauded the ruling saying it will enrich Kenyan culture.
