Charlene Ruto’s wedding in Mwanza may have been one of the most glamorous political gatherings of the year, but it is a single photo from the airstrip that has taken over Kenyan social media.
The image, taken as a delegation arrived by private plane ahead of the November 6 ceremony, shows a group walking across the tarmac surrounded by the green scenery of Mwanza.
Oburu Odinga’s second wife, visible on the far left of the photo, quickly became the focal point of a nationwide fashion debate.
The outfit that divided Kenya
She arrived in a flowing pink and purple tie-dye kaftan-style dress with wide short sleeves, falling to her ankles.
She accessorised with black flat shoes, dark sunglasses, her hair pulled into a braided updo, and a large colourful floral tote bag in her right hand.
Standing beside others in the delegation who wore more structured outfits — including a white top with navy trousers and suits with straw hats — the contrast was hard to miss, and that is precisely what set off the conversation.
Critics online argued the look felt too relaxed for a presidential daughter’s white wedding.
The Swahili phrase “fundi afutwe,” loosely translated as “the tailor should be fired,” circulated widely in the comments, with users suggesting the outfit did not match the glamorous lakeside atmosphere that other guests such as Rachel Ruto, Tessie Mudavadi and Murkomen’s wife had set.
Defenders push back
Not everyone agreed with the criticism. A vocal section of social media users argued the kaftan was appropriate, comfortable and well-suited to the Mwanza heat.
They pointed out that she looked neat, confident and modest, and accused critics of being unfair to women over their clothing choices while largely ignoring the men in the same photo. Several users also raised the point that age-appropriate, relaxed dressing deserves respect rather than ridicule.
