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"content": "code to protect the sartorial standards of the House, still applies. Hon. Tonkei and Hon. Pareiyo, you will not be allowed again. Hon. Members, looking at practice, it is noteworthy that in 2009, Speaker Kenneth Marende grappled with the question as to whether to permit traditional wear in the Chamber or not. Further, the Speaker also considered whether, indeed, there was a known dress that would pass as a standard national traditional wear that could be permitted in the Chamber. On 7th May 2009, Speaker Marende thus observed – “… there has been clamour in the recent times for us to relax our rules on dress code and also allow traditional wear in the House, its Committees, the lounges and dining areas. Indeed, you will recall that this matter was debated at length during the all-Members retreat on review of the Standing Orders in August 2008. It was unanimously resolved that there has not been a commonly accepted traditional dress for all.” The then Speaker observed that it was difficult to “find an agreed position, codified or otherwise, as to what is our national dress.” In the circumstances, the Speaker concluded that Members ought to uphold the dignity of the House and observe the Speaker’s Rules on dress code, not only in this Chamber, but also in Committees, the lounges and dining areas. Recently in the 12th Parliament, my immediate predecessor guided the House comprehensively on the matter of dress code. In a ruling made on Wednesday, 13th March 2019, the Speaker addressed the question of whether, in fact, it was time to depart from the traditionally prescribed dress code that the House has been accustomed to for decades and which has been used for preserving the dignity and sartorial standards of this House. In settling this question, the Speaker left the decision on whether to depart from the traditions of the House with regard to dress code to the determination of the House. He stated: “As your servant, in fact, when time comes for the House to review its sartorial standards and to break with tradition, we shall proceed as the House shall determine.” Hon. Members, it is clear from the foregoing that two cardinal triggers would have guided the Speaker on the issue of the dress code. First would be the existence of a national dress. On this, the Speaker observed that Kenya does not have a standard national dress which manifests the multiplicity of its cultures. Consequently, as was then, it still is untenable to permit all manner of cultural wear in the Chamber and in Committee sittings without compromising the sartorial standards of the House. The second trigger would be a definitive decision of the House to vary its rules on dress code. Considering that the House had not varied its rules, my predecessor was of the considered opinion that the House was yet to find it appropriate to review its sartorial standards and break from its long-held tradition that is codified in the Speaker’s Rules. In view of the foregoing, I am inclined not to depart from the practice which disallows cultural wear in the House so as to uphold the sartorial standards espoused in the Speaker’s Rules. With regard to Committee meetings and activities, you will recall that in my Communication dated 11th May 2023, I guided the House on the appropriate dress code in Committees. To this end, the Rules on dress code also apply to the Committees in the same manner it applies in the Chamber. It is noteworthy that the foregoing directions will also apply to parliamentary staff and visitors as a pre-requisite for admission to the precincts of Parliament. All staff, without exception, are required to dress appropriately and display their badges at all times. Indeed, I hasten to remind parliamentary staff that Section 9 of the Public Officer Ethics Act, 2003 requires all public officers to maintain an appropriate standard of dress and personal hygiene. In addition, all accredited media representatives who report parliamentary proceedings and visitors shall strictly be admitted only if properly dressed and shall be required to display their accreditation or visitor badges throughout their stay within the precincts of Parliament. 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."
}