Kenya's President Ruto scolds officials over casual dressing at state house meeting
President William Ruto used a State House ceremony on Friday to deliver an unexpected rebuke to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and other senior officials, faulting their dress for what he described as an occasion of national importance.
The event marked the signing of a major lease deal between Zaria Group and Kenya Railways Corporation, but attention briefly shifted from the agreement when Ruto openly questioned whether some of those in attendance had appreciated the formality of the setting.
Looking at the officials before him, the president remarked that he wondered “whether they are here by design or they were waylaid,” before adding, “The way they are dressed, they don't look like they knew they were coming to State House.”
Ruto said future guests who fail to meet the expected standard for official functions could be turned away at the gate. “The manner of dress of these people has no indication about the seriousness of this occasion. We take this occasion very, very seriously,” he said.
Also present at the ceremony were Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Youth Affairs and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga and Council of Economic Advisors chair David Ndii.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
