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"content": "Hon. Members, whereas the rule is clear, determination of the Speaker has been sought on various occasions owing to the variants that the described dressing has assumed over time. Of interest to the matter at hand is the appropriateness of religious regalia, Kaunda suits, hats and caps for men and traditional or cultural wear in the context of Rule 9. With regard to Kaunda suits, I need not belabour the fact that several Members of the 13th Parliament and past Houses have donned Kaunda suits. For the record, donning of Kaunda suits has somehow gained acceptance in the House since the 8th Parliament when the then Member for Runyenjes, Hon. Njeru Kathangu, always wore the attire. In subsequent Parliaments, including in the 12th Parliament, certain Members have seemingly been following in Hon. Njeru Kathangu’s footsteps. Senior Counsel, the Hon. (Dr) Otiende Amollo, Member of Parliament, the Member for Rarieda stands out as having a particular taste for collarless coats. The same was the case for the former Member for Kisumu Town West, the Hon. Olago Aluoch, among others. My predecessors have had no issue with the Kaunda suit. The records of the House, including a ruling made on Wednesday, March 13th 2019 on ‘Appropriate Dress Code for Members in Parliament’, in which my immediate predecessor, Speaker Justin Muturi, who also loves a similar attire, re-affirmed that, “Indeed, as I ruled before in 2014, Kaunda suits and even, for lack of a better term, the Mao Ze Tung coats, worn without a tie are admissible as part of proper dressing in the House.” Consequently, despite clear prohibition by Rule 9 of the Speaker’s Rules, the Kaunda suit has somehow been tolerated in the House. However, arising from emerging fashion trends that now threaten the established Parliamentary dress code, it has become necessary for me to depart from what has been obtaining regarding admittance of the Kaunda suit as appropriate dress. I do this to guard against negating the set standards, especially given the current preference by some Members to dress easy while attending Parliamentary business in plenary and Committees. This practice, outrightly, does not accord with the seriousness of the proceedings of the House and Committees. Going forward, therefore, 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. With respect to our gracious honourable lady Members, I have been petitioned regarding appropriate attire for the distinguished honourable Members. These concerns have largely been raised by fellow gracious honourable lady Members, who have asked me to protect the dignity of the House and its Committees. In this regard, it is instructive that lady Members must also be dressed in official attire at all times whilst in the precincts of Parliament and while attending Committee meetings, in adherence to Rule 9 of the Speaker’s Rules. Honourable lady Members must also avoid tightly fitting clothes and revealing attires. The above directive is in no way meant to prefect Members, but to protect and uphold the dignity of the House and your stature as Members of Parliament. Hon. Members, allow me now to address the second issue on the place of traditional or cultural attire in the Chamber. You will recall that on Tuesday, 15th August 2023, I exceptionally permitted Hon. Rebecca Tonkei, MP and Hon. Agnes Pareiyo, MP to momentarily be in the Chamber donned in Maasai cultural dress. It is instructive for the House to take note that the admittance to the House of the two gracious lady Members ought not be construed as having re-written or suspended the application of Rule 9 of the Speaker’s Rules. For the record, I indulged the two Members and with utmost regard to the circumstances of that moment. As you may recall, the two gracious lady Members pleaded for the Speaker’s permission to don the Maasai cultural attire to publicise the Maa Cultural Festival - 2023, which was scheduled to be observed at the end of that week. I, therefore, invoked my exceptional indulgence on the premise of Article 44 of the Constitution relating to promotion and manifestation of cultures. Consequently, the provisions of Rule 9 as the threshold for dress The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}