President Uhuru Kenyatta has been leading by example in a bid to support the local industry by adorning shirts from a local textile manufacturer, Rivatex.
During various public sightings throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the head of state became synonymous with the African fabric as he took a break from the normal suit and tie. This caused quite a stir on social media as many Kenyans commended the move and dubbed him Uhuru wa masharti. (Uhuru of shirts)
The managing director at Rivatex, Prof. Thomas Kipkurgat revealed in an interview with Daily Nation that the company supplied a minimum of six shirts to State House on a monthly basis. He expressed the company’s delight in dressing the commander-in-chief.
“Per month, we give him a good number of shirts, at least six. We are very happy to dress him,” he said.
The team tasked with designing Uhuru’s colourful shirts, however, acknowledged the intricacies involved and admitted that the work is not an easy feat.
“We design the print based on his complexion,” Caroline Nyakio, a tailor at Rivatex revealed.
“Various people tend to different parts of the clothing to come up with the final product. We are elated every time we see him(Uhuru) donning the shirts.”
The team now hopes to meet the president and get his reactions pertaining to the Rivatex-made shirts.
“Our plea is for the president to call us to State House and tell us how he feels when adorning the shirts,” Nyakio said.
Netizens took notice of the President’s new casual look and began depicting the mood he was in based on the type of shirt he wore in a particular day.
“When he comes to address the press, you can predict the type of news he will issue depending on the shirt he wears,” a local resident of Eldoret stated.
In June 2019, the President ordered all government officials to promote locally based manufacturers on Fridays in a bid to revive the textile industry which has been hampered by stiff competition from imported products.
The Eldoret based textile plant has been hailed for its unique design leading to many institutions and Kenyans alike making orders for the shirts and full uniform.
