A recent photo of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has sparked a lively conversation among Kenyans on social media.
The photo shows Gachagua enjoying a golfing session in the United States alongside his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, and another woman.
Gachagua appeared relaxed as he posed for the photo on the golf course. He wore a checked polo shirt, beige trousers, a cap and white gloves associated with the sport.
However, it was not his golfing outfit that caught the attention of some social media users.
Several Kenyans focused on a noticeable outline around his upper body and waist area, with some speculating that he could have been wearing a protective vest underneath his shirt.
The claim quickly became a topic of discussion, with different users giving their own interpretations of the photograph.
Some questioned why Gachagua would need such protection while taking part in a leisure activity in the United States. Others, however, were more cautious and pointed out that the image alone could not confirm whether the former deputy president was wearing a bulletproof vest.
A few social media users suggested that the shape could have been caused by another item of clothing or a support garment worn underneath the shirt.
The speculation comes against the backdrop of previous occasions when Gachagua has been seen wearing protective gear during political engagements.
The former deputy president has previously appeared at public events wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet. On those occasions, he explained that he had concerns about his security and had received information that made him take extra precautions.
His use of protective gear during political events has previously attracted public attention, particularly because such clothing is rarely associated with ordinary political rallies.
The latest photograph has therefore brought the issue back into the spotlight, although there has been no confirmation that the item visible beneath Gachagua’s shirt is actually a bulletproof vest.
For now, social media users continue to debate the image, with some finding the observation unusual while others maintain that it is difficult to determine what he was wearing from a photograph alone.