Written By Mary Mumbua 📝
During the Madaraka Day celebrations, President Uhuru Kenyatta broke protocol by not inviting his deputy William Ruto to address the nation.
President Kenyatta took over the proceedings after the military showcase and general entertainment to celebrate Kenya’s 59th year of self-rule.
Immediately after entertainment was done, President Kenyatta presided over the state investiture where a select Kenyans are awarded several State honours.
Following the conclusion of the state investitures, President Kenyatta requested his speech from his aide as his presidential lectern was brought to the dais.
The Head of State then took control of the proceedings, first acknowledging the invited guests and then inviting Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio.
This was a departure from tradition, in which only a few Kenyan leaders, both government and political, were invited to speak.
When high-level guests are invited to speak, the Deputy President is usually the de facto Master of Ceremony, and in the case of an invited head of state, he hands over to the President.
But that was not the case this time round, the President invited Mr. Bio and after his short speech, Mr. Kenyatta went straight to his speech locking out anybody who may have been preparing to talk.
It was not immediately clear as to why the President took this drastic move but it is not lost on many that it was more political than anything else.
Earlier in the morning the president held a small ceremony at State House with members of the cabinet and it is unclear whether the Deputy President was present.
