Hate him or love him, Augustus Kyalo Muli, the flamboyant Anzauni clan patron and NLP Party Leader, is not about to fade quietly into political oblivion. The seasoned political agitator once again stirred attention during Governor Julius Malombe’s State of the County Address at the Kitui County Assembly chambers — this time not with words, but with his traditional attire.
Dressed in full Anzauni regalia, Kyalo Muli attempted to take his seat in the Assembly Speaker’s Gallery but was initially denied entry by parliamentary orderlies. He was instructed to remove some components of his traditional dressing before being allowed access.
Speaking exclusively to Channel 15 News, a visibly displeased Kyalo Muli questioned the Assembly’s decision, noting what he called a double standard in the treatment of African culture within government spaces.
“Why should I be asked to remove parts of my cultural dress in my own county? When the Senate of Kenya has already allowed traditional African attire in Parliament? This is an insult not just to me, but to the entire Anzauni community,” he said.
A Clash of Tradition and Bureaucracy
The incident has reignited a broader conversation about the place of African identity and cultural symbolism in modern governance, especially after the 2020 landmark ruling by then-Speaker of the Senate Kenneth Lusaka.
Under Lusaka’s directive, the Senate allowed traditional African attire to be worn within its chambers, recognizing that Kenya’s diversity is not just ethnic, but also sartorial. The Speaker emphasized that the Standing Orders do not prescribe a rigid dress code, allowing leeway for cultural expressions.
The move followed years of tension where some Members of Parliament were previously ejected or barred from entering chambers for wearing attire deemed “unofficial,” despite being part of their cultural heritage.
In 2023, the ruling was put into practice when two Maasai MPs were allowed to wear their cultural dress during a House session — a symbolic moment in Kenya’s postcolonial efforts to mainstream African traditions within formal institutions.
Cultural Expression or Political Showmanship?
While Muli’s critics view his gesture as calculated political showmanship, his supporters argue that his insistence on traditional attire is a powerful statement of cultural pride and resistance. As the Anzauni Patron, Kyalo Muli has positioned himself not just as a political player but as a guardian of indigenous Kamba heritage.
Analysts say the incident may pressure county assemblies — including Kitui’s — to align with national precedence in matters of cultural inclusivity, especially as Kenya continues to redefine its identity within the governance sphere.
Whether the Kitui Assembly will issue a formal clarification remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Augustus Kyalo Muli made sure his presence was felt — with or without his full outfit.
