President William Ruto’s mother, Sarah Cherono Cheruiyot, asked a journalist to wrap a Maasai shuka around what she called “indecent dressing.”
To the delight of the audience, Mama Sarah stated that the lady, who works as a camerawoman for one of the local media outlets, should be grateful for the kind gesture.
This occurred on Thursday, June 22, 2023, during the issuance of title deeds by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii at the County Headquarters grounds to beneficiaries from the Hill School, Maili Nne estates, and Kuinet.
“Leso is important so ensure you pack one. I saw my daughter in a short dress and wondered what would happen if a camera fell. So I decided to cover her,” she stated in Kalenjin as governor Bii translated in Swahili.
The lady in question later left and joined the event in a smart green pantsuit as she continued her work filming the event.
She insisted on the need for women to carry a leso or shuka and keep the culture going.
“I ask mothers not to forget the tradition of walking with Kanga, today you have seen how important it is. If we didn’t have the leso, my granddaughter, who is being photographed here, would have continued to shame all of us sitting here,” said Mama Sara.
She, however, advised the girl not to be ashamed but to accept the advice of elders on dress code morality in order to become moral people in society.
“My child, don’t be angry about what I have done. I did it as a parent who loves and values children, especially girls,” added Mama Sara to cheers from the crowd.
Mama Sarah was among 505 landowners, who received title deeds.
This is reportedly not the first incident where the lady was on the spot for ‘indecent dressing’ since in a past event, she was denied entrance to a church function.
The congregants said members of the press are not exceptional and should respect the church and uphold ethics.
“Even if you are a journalist, respect our church by dressing well and being ethical,” one of the mothers was heard saying.
