At State House in Nairobi, a light moment unfolded during an official signing ceremony after President William Ruto made playful remarks about how some leaders had dressed for the event.
The occasion was the signing of the Agreement for the Modern Arena and Entertainment District in Nairobi, a project aimed at reshaping the city’s sports, culture, and entertainment space.
What began as a formal gathering briefly shifted into laughter as the President pointed out what he viewed as a mismatch between the setting and the attire of some attendees.
Ruto, speaking in a relaxed tone, drew attention to the appearance of some guests as he addressed the gathering.
“I was looking at the people who came to this occasion, including the governor of Nairobi, and I was asking myself if they are here by design or if they were way late,” Ruto said, prompting laughter from the audience.
“The way they are dressed, they don’t look like they knew they were coming to State House.”
The remarks immediately set off laughter among those present, with the President maintaining a light mood as he continued speaking on expectations for official events.
His comments appeared to point to the difference between the formal nature of State House functions and the more relaxed dressing seen among some of the attendees.
Among those present was Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who stood out along with several others for a more casual approach to dressing.
Sakaja wore a long-sleeved patterned shirt without a tie, paired with trousers, leaning more towards a smart casual look rather than the usual formal style often seen at such gatherings.
Around him, other guests also appeared in open-collar shirts and lighter clothing, with fewer suits and ties than is commonly expected in high-level State House meetings.
The overall appearance marked a noticeable shift from the traditional formal dress code associated with official government ceremonies.
Ruto later added a light warning about expectations for future events.
“I think next time I would ask the people at the gate not to allow people dressing like that, especially when they’re coming for a serious function like this,” he said, chuckling.
Despite the remarks, the atmosphere remained relaxed and friendly, with attendees responding in good humour.
The event continued smoothly as attention returned to the Agreement for the Modern Arena and Entertainment District in Nairobi, which is expected to boost the city’s standing as a hub for sports, culture, and entertainment.
Even with the light exchange on dress code, the ceremony maintained its focus on the development plans, while also reflecting a rare moment where formality and humour met within the State House setting.