Reporters break dress code, barred from county assembly

Journalists and members of the public who were not dressed in suits and neck ties were on Tuesday barred from accessing the Kakamega County Assembly hall during the launch of the second assembly session.

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya was launching the second session of the assembly after Members of the County Assembly resumed from recess.

OPENING SESSION

County security officers blocked journalists and members of the public who usually follow the assembly proceedings from the gallery from entering the hall.

During an invite to the opening session, County Assembly liaison officer Gilbert Ongachi had requested journalists planning to cover the event to observe a formal dress code.

“Those providing coverage of the opening of the second session of the assembly, kindly observe the dress code (formal) and carry the badge you were given by the assembly communication office,” read the notice.

But journalists working for various local outlets showed up without suits and neck ties and were blocked accessing the gallery.

“I am decently dressed and I consider this to be my formal dress code,” a journalist from the Standard Media Group said.

The scribes were forced to cover the event through speakers mounted outside of the assembly hall.