Governors on Friday, February 21 arrived for the eighth edition of the National and County Government Summit at the State House, Nairobi dressed in exquisite native outfits.
Their clothing was in line with President Uhuru Kenyatta's buy-Kenya-build-Kenya initiative under the Big Four Agenda on manufacturing.
He had directed that all government officials wear Made in Kenya outfits to work on Fridays as well as during public holidays.
The governors ditched their regular suits for colourful African attires. Male governors could be seen spotted in elegant patterned shirts while the traditional exquisite 'Kitenges' topped it for the women.
Other than merely adhering to a directive by the head of state, the move elicited a strong sense of patriotism, cultural and traditional identity.
President Kenyatta himself has been a leader in championing for the Kenyan identity. A look at his wrist, one can notice the Kenyan flag-themed bracelet.
See Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru's outfit? The spruce blue with a little kick of slate grey dress partnered with canary yellow and ruby red flowers give it ooze of elegance, power and above all, identity.
Early 2019, President Kenyatta during the commissioning of ultra-modern textile industry Rivatex in Eldoret, appealed to all Kenyans to adopt the Made in Kenya for Friday wear initiative.
“For the government to lead by example, I urge all public servants to wear at least one piece of garment made in Kenya on Fridays,” President Kenyatta stated then.
The directive was later issued through a circular by the office of the attorney general on October 17, 2019, and was signed by solicitor general Kennedy Ogeto.
“Pursuant to the achievement of the Big 4 Agenda and specifically the expansion of manufacturing by producing better goods and creating local employment, I direct that all members of staff shall on all Fridays be dressed in decent, smart casual Kenyan-produced and tailored attire,” the circular read in part.
"It was issued in line with government policy to spur growth of local manufacturing industry as one of the pillars of the Big Four,” Ogeto stated.
It remains to be seen whether officials and employees of government will fully adopt the directive, governors have set the pace with their adherence to the initiative.
During the October 20, 2019, Mashujaa Day celebration that was held at the Mama Ngina Waterfront Park in Mombasa, President Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, and several other nation leaders ditched the regular suits for colourful African attires.
Nominated MP David Ole Sankok is arguably the biggest champion of patriotism through attire. He is famed for the Kenya themed clothes he dons.
