When you visit government offices as well as various businesses you are likely to see the portrait of the current President.
This has been a custom since the country attained its independence.
On Tuesday 13th ,2022 the government released President William Ruto official portrait at State House.
This portrait will be used during his five-year term.
No one is forcing anyone to display president’s portrait at their workplace. It’s an existing tradition that has been there and we are not fleeing away from
State
The Law
Is there a law that this portrait must be used in all offices? This has been the question being asked by many Kenyans.
No, there is no such law however the government in 2016, through the ministry of interior gave directives imposing penalty on traders who wanted to remove Uhuru’s portrait in their businesses.
The move had been steered by the then opposition leader Raila Odinga.
“The government will impose a penalty on individuals who do not comply with the directives,” read the statement.
Tradition
The controversy caused an uproar on social media and the government further issued a statement that it was not mandatory for citizens to display the portrait.
“No one is forcing anyone to display president’s portrait at their workplace. It’s an existing tradition that has been there and we are not fleeing away from.”
Various lawyers argued that the act was done out of respect for the head of state which had been inherited over the years and that there was no legal requirement for such.