President William Ruto’s personal tailor Ashok Sunny on Wednesday revealed that the Head of State had taken a preference for Kaunda suits to promote local manufacturing and not pose as a dictator as some have alluded.
In an interview with TV47, Sunny explained that Ruto was walking the talk by promoting local garments manufacturing by wearing locally made clothes.
The tailor, famed for making bespoke suits, noted that Ruto’s embracing of locally made clothes was part of his larger bottom-up economic agenda.
“They call it the dictator look because most old dictators used to like Kaunda suits. But that is to show Kenyans can make garments good enough for Kenyan leaders to wear,” he explained.
Sunny remarked that all presidents and previous leaders had never taken an interest in Kenyan-made apparel.
“He is giving power to people who are using their talents to make garments,” the tailor added.
The popular tailor explained that by Ruto wearing Kaunda suits, he was sending a message that African wear can be embraced and celebrated.
He explained that Ruto was a testament that you do not have to wear suits every day. Sunny encouraged other leaders to wear African so as to represent the continent’s look.
The President has in recent days stepped out in the Kaunda suits causing a fashion fever among Kenya Kwanza politicians.
During a rally in Mt Kenya, politicians led by National Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro joined the President in donning Kaunda suits.
Azimio Leader Raila Odinga has stepped out in signature blue Kaunda suit on several key occasions.
As more politicians join the Kaunda suit craze, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has largely stuck with his exquisite suits and occasional animal print.
