The dress code of some leaders who attended the signing of the agreement for the Modern Arena and Entertainment District at State House, Nairobi, on April 10 caught the attention of President William Ruto.
Before delivering his speech on April 10, Ruto said he observed that some officials, including the Nairobi Governor, appeared to have been dressed as though they were attending a formal State House meeting.
“Looking at the people, including the governor of Nairobi Johnson Sakaja, the way they are dressed, they do look like they were coming to the Stat ehouse. We take such meetings so seriously,” Ruto said.
“I think next time I will tell the security at the State House not to allow people dressed like that.”
Ruto Pokes Holes in Sakaja’s Dress Code
The President later continued his speech but revisited the issue, saying that the way leaders dress does not reflect how seriously they take meetings.
He added that he once had a similar experience in Voi with his then-employer, who expected him to be in proper attire even though he knew he would not be working that day, a point he suggested Governor Sakaja could use in his own defense.
The remarks drew laughter from leaders present at the State House.
Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir attended the meeting in a black suit, white shirt, and tie, while Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs Salim Mvurya wore a beige suit paired with a checked shirt and no tie.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, however, stood out after opting for a navy-blue shirt without a suit and tie.
President William Ruto, on the other hand, wore his signature yellow silk shirt.
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What the Meeting Was About at the State House
At the State House meeting, President William Ruto was presiding over the signing of an agreement for a modern arena and entertainment district in Nairobi, dubbed “Railway City.”
The project forms part of his broader push to modernize the capital and position it as a regional hub for events, sports, and entertainment.
The arena is part of a package of flagship developments that also includes Talanta Stadium, a new conference center at Bomas, and a planned modern airport, all aimed at elevating Nairobi into a world-class city.
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Not A First For the President
This is not the first time President William Ruto has publicly rebuked leaders in his administration.
On August 1, 2023, he called out two Cabinet Secretaries for failing to sign performance contracts after they arrived late to a State House event.
The President, who was furious after the then-Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and former Trade CS Moses Kuria were locked out of State House, said he needed an explanation.
Ruto said he did not understand why leaders would miss such an important work-related engagement, adding that failure to keep time with one’s employer amounted to self-dismissal.
He further directed the two CSs to personally submit written explanations for their lateness.
“I will be looking forward to a personally written explanation on why you were late and don’t use traffic as an excuse,” Ruto said.
