Embu County Assembly relaxes dress code over hot weather

Embu County Assembly Speaker Kariuki Mate. He has bowed to pressure from MCAs to relax dressing rules in the chambers due to the current hot weather. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Male MCAs had asked to be allowed to stop wearing ties and also be allowed to wear T-shirts.
  • Mr Mate was forced to address a half-empty chamber as majority of MCAs walked out to enjoy a breeze at the parking lot as heat levels soured.
  • The Speaker ordered the clerk to ensure that the debating chamber was comfortable enough for MCAs through installation of air conditioners.
  • Mr Mate stated that the relaxation of the formal dress code was not equal to permission for scanty outfits in the chambers.

The Embu County Assembly has relaxed rules on dressing in the wake of souring temperatures currently being experienced in the country.

Speaker Kariuki Mate bowed to pressure from MCAs who sought to be excused from wearing jackets during debates in the poorly ventilated chambers.

He said he took seriously the advisory by the meteorological department warning that the country would be facing high temperatures over the next few days.

“Staying and working in comfortable borders in an inalienable human right and I consequently take cognisance that members have complained that the chamber is becoming extremely hot at times due to souring temperatures,” said Mr Mate.

He called on MCAs to observe decency in their dressing so as to preserve the dignity of the assembly.

Mr Mate, however, ruled that the change in dressing code was a temporary measure until weather patterns normalised.

Male MCAs had asked to be allowed to stop wearing ties and also be allowed to wear T-shirts.

Some had pleaded with the Speaker to be allowed to do away with all formal clothing and come to the Assembly in casual and more comfortable attire.

NO SCANTY ATTIRE

Mr Mate stated that the relaxation of the formal dress code was not equal to permission for scanty outfits in the chambers.

“Mr Speaker sir, with all due respect, even as you have issued the communication, the tie is the problem since it restricts the heat,” argued Mr John Mwangi.

He was, however, ruled to be out of order since he did not have a tie on.

Mr Mate was forced to address a half-empty chamber as majority of MCAs walked out to enjoy a breeze at the parking lot as heat levels soured.

Runyenjes MCA Steve Simba called for the installation of air conditioners in the assembly to avoid adjustment of dressing code rules.

“We don’t want to be removing clothes every time there is heat. Some of us are seeking to serve in a higher assembly where you don’t have to remove your coat but press a button for conditioning the air,” he said.

Majority Leader Andrew Musakwa tickled the House when he claimed that only the elderly MCAs needed to keep their coats and ties on because their youthful counterparts were “hot-blooded.”

He said some youthful MCAs were always complaining of heat even during the cold seasons and may require to permanently wear lighter garments in the assembly.

The Speaker ordered the clerk Jim Kauma to immediately ensure that the debating chamber was comfortable enough for MCAs through installation of air conditioners.