The Turkana Cultural Festival was formally started on Thursday by President William Ruto. After beginning the event, the President took his time to acclimate to Turkana customs.

The head of state sat in a manyatta, drinking porridge with a wooden mwiko from a calabash. The President then stopped to talk to the senior women who were making the porridge.

The Head of State put on full-on Turkana traditional garb instead of his usual suits, ties, and Kaunda suits.


He wore a red necklace called a "Maasai shanga" and covered his neck with a white cloth. He wore a "hat" with long feathers on his head, encircled by other exquisite jewelry.

Additionally, Ruto carried a Maasai rungu, which nearly every Maasai man uses while walking and occasionally dancing.

He completed his look with Maasai 'akalas'.