On June 1, 2022, President Uhuru Kenyatta marked the Madaraka Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, but his speech was overshadowed by a deliberate snub of his deputy, Dr. William Ruto.
While recognizing dignitaries, Uhuru ignored Ruto, a breach of protocol that seemed to be a form of retaliation for Ruto's actions at the National Prayer Breakfast.
During his speech, Uhuru started by addressing other dignitaries, including the President of Sierra Leone and the President of the African Development Bank, before turning to the Chief Justice and national leaders.
However, the President's speech took a veiled turn when he accused Ruto of seizing public land outside the Wilson Airport, where the Weston Hotel stands.
Uhuru highlighted that a private developer had illegally bought and transferred public land opposite Wilson Airport, and that the Ministry of Lands was in the process of repossessing the land and returning it to its original owner.
“Land matters were handled using a manual registry, the Ministry of Lands thus became a den of corruption. Part of the Wilson Airport here had a title deed registered in the name of a private individual,” Uhuru stated.
Furthermore, Uhuru announced that Kenya would make history in August by electing a female deputy president, a clear reference to Martha Karua, Raila Odinga's running mate in the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya presidential campaign.
