Kenya declares Friday African Attire day as it moves to revive national dress that never was

Kenyans are expected to adopt a different dress code for Fridays going forward.

The ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared Friday as the Kenyan and African attire day.

Political and Diplomacy Secretary Tom Amolo said the move was prompted by the need to increase awareness of Kenya's cultural richness.

"This is to generate interest in the country heritage which ultimately leads to clearer mindset about our past and robust projection to our future," Amolo said.

Mr. Amolo added that Kenya which currently has a national dress that never was is endowed with richness and varied fabrics as well as diverse fashion styles, and urged the public to wear any Kenyan attire or any African attire.

"The ethos of this re-engagement speaks to an assertion of an affirmative African narrative that defines us and insists that at its core, manifestations and reflections are at its best."

Kenya’s attempted to launch a national dress in April 2004 but since then majority of Kenyans have given the Kenyan cloak, which features an ankle-length robe and long cloak for women, and a shirt with a slashed collar and a cape across one shoulder for men wear a wide berth.

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Amollo however hopes African attire day may inspire Kenyans to dust off their cloaks and use the attire as a tool for self-expression, social activism, and public diplomacy.

"World leaders often wear traditional clothing to interact with foreign publics and to advance cultural understanding,"

Amollo noted that nations have in recent years increasingly focused on promoting their cultural aspects such as food, fashion, songs and dances both at home and abroad and it is high time Kenya joins the world’s catwalk stage.

But for a start, the diplomat said that Kenya’s immediate focus and environment is Africa.

"We would rather be known as 'African than near Europe,"