President William Ruto on Monday turned a formal judicial swearing-in ceremony into a light-hearted moment, using a barber shop story and a reference to a high-cost hairstyle known as “Jordan” to draw laughter from guests at State House, Nairobi.
The President recounted a visit to Khwisero during a rural electrification project, where he met a young barber who had just opened a shop after getting electricity for the first time.
“I found this young man and he had got electricity for the first time and he had opened this barber shop. He was telling me which hairstyle costs how much.”
Ruto said the barber explained different pricing for hairstyles, singling out one style as the most expensive.
“He told me the hairstyle called Jordan is the most expensive,” he said.
He then linked the anecdote to members of the judiciary present at the ceremony, jokingly comparing the style to one of the judges.
“If you see Judge Aggrey Muchelule, that is Jordan. I am sure,” Ruto said, prompting laughter in the room.
The President used the moment to reflect on public service and generational differences, suggesting that long-serving professionals may be better placed to afford such “premium” styles.
“People who have been serving for long can afford it; maybe the younger ones cannot afford,” he added.
Ruto also took time during the ceremony to commend judicial officers and acknowledge their service, mixing humour with formal remarks as he swore in the judges.
The “Jordan” haircut is a popular hairstyle term used to describe a premium, sharply styled cut that requires high precision, detailed fading and careful finishing.
It is typically characterised by precise fading on the sides, clean line-ups around the hairline, and a highly detailed, sculpted finish on top. Because it requires extra time, skill, and attention to detail, it is often priced higher than standard haircuts.
The president was presiding over the swearing in of 49 new judges at State House, Nairobi.
The new judges include 24 judges of the High Court, 13 judges of the Environment and Land Court, and 12 of the Comesa Court of Justice.
Ruto congratulated the new judges as they officially assumed office.
“I extend my congratulations to each of the judges taking the oath today. Your appointment is both a great honour and a great responsibility and a solemn commitment before God, to serve people with integrity, diligence, and humility,” he said.
The Head of State urged the newly appointed judges to take their mandate and oath of office seriously in the service of the public.
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