Title: “The Kaunda suit banned in Kenyan Parliament: a debate on the preservation of African clothing tradition”
Introduction :
The Kenyan Parliament recently took the decision to ban the wearing of the famous “Kaunda suit” on its premises. This iconic costume, named after the late Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, is now banned, as are traditional African outfits. Kenyan President William Ruto often appeared in public wearing this outfit, contributing to his popularity among the political elite not only in Kenya, but also in parts of Africa.
The reasons for the ban:
According to the Speaker of Parliament, Moses Wetangula, the move is driven by the emergence of new clothing trends that challenge the traditional dress code of Parliament. From now on, men will have to conform to a specific dress code, including a jacket, collar, tie, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, shoes or a service uniform. For women, the guidelines stipulate a professional, formal or casual dress code, with below-the-knee skirts and dresses and a ban on sleeveless blouses.
The popularity of Kaunda follows:
The Kaunda suit, which features a safari jacket matched with pants, takes its name from the Zambian president who played a key role in popularizing it. Its frequent use by President Ruto has recently attracted social media attention in Kenya. While some support the ban on this outfit in favor of a more formal and professional dress code, others question this decision which seems to reject African attire within the African Parliament itself.
A debate on the preservation of African culture:
The ban sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some consider it paradoxical to ban African dress within an African Parliament, thus calling into question the preservation of African culture and tradition. Others, however, support this decision in favor of a more formal and professional approach to dress in the parliamentary chamber.
Conclusion :
This ban on the Kaunda follows in the Kenyan Parliament raises questions about the balance between preserving African culture and tradition and adopting more formal and professional standards of dress. While the debate is complex and can divide opinions, it is important to find a compromise between cultural representation and the adoption of appropriate parliamentary protocols. After all, cultural diversity is one of the pillars of Africa and should be respected and celebrated, even within political institutions.