A look at Ruto’s fashion statement one year on

The President is a man known for grooming well to the core whenever he appears in public.

William Ruto, even before he became Kenya's fifth President, has always been stylish.

Whether he is in the State House hosting various delegates, attending church service, or even a sports event, trust the man from Sugoi to clean up well.

Just as Kenyans got used to him in normal suits, he has recently unleashed a new look by often donning Kaunda suits.

Kaunda suits

From around June, President Ruto started to evolve his fashion sense by switching from the formal suit and tie featuring black blazers and white shirts to the less drab Kaunda suits.

The Kaunda suits feature a single-breasted design, three buttons, narrow lapels, short sleeves, and patch pockets on the front of a safari jacket, paired with matching pants.

The suit is originally said to have originated in Australia in the 1970s but was made more popular in the continent by the first President of Zambia, the late Kenneth Kaunda.

President Ruto wore a Kaunda suit for the first time on June 11, 2023, during a State visit to Djibouti.

This was a new sense of fashion as Kenyans are used to seeing Ruto in an official and smart casual wardrobe consisting of suits, blazers, shirts, and trousers.

However, he proved that it was not a one-time fashion statement, as he has pulled off different Kaunda suits up to date.

President Ruto’s tailor Ashok Sunny in September 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. 

“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 said.

Italian wear

Italian Luxury brand Stefano Ricci is known to dress billionaires, Kings and other rich citizens of the world.

President Ruto was not left behind as the designer's clothes made their way to his wardrobe this year.

On February 23, 2023, the Head of State was spotted with a Stefano Ricci silk shirt.

He was wearing a blue print long-sleeved silk shirt to perfection as he went on conducting his stately duties.

On June 17, 2023, during the 8th Annual Dairy Farmers Field Day in Meru County, President Ruto was spotted wearing a handmade crocodile leather belt.

Later that weekend, the President was again spotted donning the belt which features the SR Stefano Ricci logo with some Kenyans thinking it was his initials Samoei Ruto 

Casual, sporty  wear 

The World Rally Championship (WRC) was held from June 22 to June 25 2023 in Nairobi County, and Naivasha, Nakuru County

The Rally was flagged off at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park and thereafter crews headed to the Kasarani Grounds for the Super Special Stage.

Being the host, President Ruto was not left behind and on June 21, 2023, he did the official flagging off on Thursday and even went on a ride.

"I got into the rally car and it was something, my stomach almost gave way," Ruto said.

On June 25, 2023, the President was spotted running upon arrival in Naivasha for the presentation of awards to the 2023 World Rally Championship winners. Ruto was in the company of Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and security personnel. 

The two were being manned by security personnel who were by their side.

People could be heard giving the Head of State directions on which way to go. 

Ruto was rushing to ward the winners of this year's Safari Rally who were Ogier Sébastien, Rovanperä Kalle and Evans Elfyn.

The President rocked stylish sunglasses during the WRC Safari Rally prize-giving event in Naivasha.

On September 3, 2023, President Ruto stepped out of the State House with a daring look.

Heading to the Youth Africa Climate Change Summit at KICC, Nairobi the Head of State had a stylish -youthful look.

While driving himself in a yellow electric car,  Ruto wore white pants, a beige polo shirt, and a creamy cap

On top of the icing was a chunky platform sneakers stealing the show.

Blend with culture

Trust President William Ruto to always dress to the occasion matching the theme of the occassion.

On April 11, 2023, he joined the Muslim faithful for Iftar organised by the Eastleigh Business District Association.

The event took place at KICC.

"Grateful to have the honour of breaking the fast with a section of the Muslim community in Nairobi," Ruto said.

The President acknowledged that Ramadhan is a sacred tradition and a time of introspection, prayer and fasting for the Muslim Faithful.

To blend in with the Muslim community, Ruto wore 'kanzu' and the 'kofia'.

On August 22, 2023, Ruto wore Maasai traditional attire after he arrived in Narok to officially open the inaugural Maasai cultural week.

The Maasai community wears a traditional, attractive, admirable dress code. This varies depending on age, gender, place, significance and occasion.

The 'Shukas’ are wrapped around their bodies and a lot of colourful beaded jewellery is placed around their necks and arms, accompanied by sandals that are soled with tire strips or plastic.

They obtain beads from local raw materials. White beads from clay, shells, ivory, or bone. Black and blue beads were from iron, charcoal, seeds, clay or horn. Reds from seeds, woods, gourds, borne, ivory, copper or brass.

The President wore all the above including flat sandals and carried a rod.

On September 12, 2023, Ruto attended the colourful Turkana Tourism and Cultural Festival in Lodwar town.

Representing the Maasai culture, President Ruto was dressed in a beautiful Turkana shuka that was in red and blue boxes.

He also took his time to blend in with the Turkana culture.

The Head of State entered into a manyatta and drank porridge from a calabash using a wooden mwiko.

On November 25, 2023, President Ruto graced the Marsabit Lake Turkana Cultural Festival in Loiyangalani, Turkana.

The President was in full Borana regalia and was accompanied by other leaders.

Ruto was dressed in white Borana clothing and white shoes as he held a walking stick in his hand.