President William Ruto is once again making headlines—not for a policy announcement or political stance, but for his taste in luxury fashion.
The Head of State was recently spotted wearing a rare and exquisite Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch during his tour of the Maasai Mara National Park for the annual wildebeest migration.
Clad in jungle green safari gear and matching jungle boots, Ruto’s look was stylishly completed by the antique Rolex Daytona, a timepiece renowned for its elegance, precision, and prestige.
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The sighting has sparked a flurry of online discussions, with many noting the watch’s eye-popping value—estimated at over Ksh 6 million.
The Watch of Legends
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, first launched in 1963, was originally crafted for professional racecar drivers. It features a tachymetric scale on the bezel for calculating average speeds up to 400 units per hour, and includes three chronograph counters for measuring elapsed time.
Its rugged Oyster case provides water resistance up to 100 meters, while the timepiece boasts chronometric precision and a 72-hour power reserve.
“Constantly improved and refined over time, the Cosmograph Daytona has proved to be as reliable as it is precise,” Rolex states on its official website.
Although Rolex does not publish prices publicly, luxury watch platforms such as Chrono24 list the Daytona at around $50,000 (Sh6.4 million) for a new model, with pre-owned versions starting from $20,000 (Sh2.5 million).
A Taste for High Fashion
This is not the first time President Ruto’s sense of style has drawn public attention. In 2024, he caused a stir when he attended a church service in Kahawa West wearing a crocodile leather Stefano Ricci belt valued at approximately Sh425,000. The Italian-made belt, complete with a gold ‘SR’ buckle, is celebrated globally as one of the world’s finest fashion accessories.
Such appearances have prompted mixed reactions from Kenyans, particularly given the economic hardships facing many citizens.
Murkomen Also in the Spotlight
President Ruto isn’t the only high-ranking government official with a flair for the finer things. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has also been under public scrutiny for his high-end wardrobe. In a past interview, Murkomen admitted to owning a Sh900,000 watch, Sh80,000 shoes, a Sh50,000 belt, and a Sh20,000 tie—totalling approximately Sh1.1 million in attire.
Acknowledging the criticism, Murkomen said, “There are things that are vanity that you end up buying. Had I taken this money to invest in a money market, it would have earned me interest. That is my weakness, but I’m willing to correct myself.”
Public Debate Continues
The extravagant tastes of top Kenyan leaders have continued to ignite debate, especially as millions grapple with high taxes and economic uncertainty. While some view the display of wealth as out of touch, others argue that personal taste should not be politicised if obtained through legal means.
Still, for many Kenyans watching the wildebeest migration through their screens, it’s the president’s luxury timepiece—rather than the natural spectacle—that’s left the biggest impression.