On Madaraka Day, June 1, 2022, President Uhuru Kenyatta made history by excluding Deputy President William Ruto from addressing Kenyans, a first since he took office in 2013.
As Kenyans anticipated Ruto's address, President Kenyatta instead invited the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, to speak at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.
Earlier, President Kenyatta had left Ruto out of a brief State House function ahead of his speech to the nation, leaving the Deputy President waiting kilometres away at Uhuru Gardens.
Responding to the snub, Emmanuel Talam, Ruto's spokesman, stated that the Deputy President was not invited to the State House event.
President Kenyatta, however, thanked his cabinet for their service, saying he was confident they had laid a firm foundation for those who would come after him.
At the State House, the President hosted his cabinet secretaries for a brief session, where they shared in the dance, while Ruto arrived early at Uhuru Gardens to receive President Bio.
