Controversial Kenyan musician Esther Akoth, alias Akothee, caused a stir in Parliament Buildings in Nairobi on Wednesday, September 18, when she went to the National Assembly premises dressed in a mini-skirt.
It is against parliamentary rules for MPs or guests to wear — within the National Assembly premises — what is considered as indecent attire.
In August 2018, the National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Moses Cheboi, revealed what constitutes “appropriate dressing” to the House after Murang’a Woman Rep Sabina Chege’s sparkling short-sleeved white V-neck top caused a stir in the House.
“Members of the press and the National Assembly must be properly dressed; male MPs must wear collared long-sleeved shirts; a tie, a pair of socks and shoes. Women, on the other hand, should wear clothes that are decent, formal, and are of business-wear nature,” said Cheboi on August 22, 2018, ruling that Sabina wasn’t inappropriately dressed to the National Assembly precincts.
On Wednesday, September 18, the dress code debate was reignited in Parliament, when singer Akothee went to the House dressed in a short green skirt that she’d matched with a body-hugging blazer.
The musician was scheduled to meet David Sankok, the nominated MP representing persons with disabilities. The agenda of their meeting remains unclear.
The Sergeant at Arms were forced to stop Akothee from accessing Sankok’s office in her mini-skirt.
The artiste, however, resisted the Parliament officers’ attempt of blocking her, leading to a shouting match and high drama.
The Sergeant at Arms, however, stood their ground and gave the musician a leso to tie around her waist, but she threw it down in anger.
Sensing that she wasn’t going to win the battle, Akothee agreed to cover herself using the leso, and was later spotted having lunch with MPs at the Parliament cafeteria.