President Uhuru Kenyatta hosted a farewell gathering for Cabinet Secretaries at State House on June 1, 2022, but Deputy William Ruto was notably absent, underscoring ongoing tensions between the two leaders. The event, which included musical tributes, marked the end of Uhuru's tenure as the head of the Cabinet.
Ruto's Exclusion and Historical Context ¶
Ruto's spokesperson, Emmanuel Talam, stated the deputy was not invited to the June 1 event, a pattern that began after the leaders' rift in 2018. Talam emphasized the absence as part of a broader trend of marginalization, citing the 2018 conflict as a key point of contention.
Cabinet Praise for Uhuru's Leadership ¶
Cabinet Secretaries present at the event lauded Uhuru for his leadership, with Sports CS Amina Mohamed calling the past nine and a half years "out of this world." Interior CS Fred Matiang’i highlighted improvements in the National Police Service, noting that in 2013, many county commissioners lacked basic resources like fuel.
Prayer Breakfast and Ruto's Apology ¶
Earlier, on May 26, 2022, the two leaders appeared to reconcile during a National Prayer Breakfast. Ruto publicly sought Uhuru's forgiveness, stating, "I ask for your forgiveness" for any shortcomings during his tenure as deputy. However, Uhuru's response was noncommittal, saying he hoped Ruto's prayers for his peaceful retirement would come true.
Ruto's Post-Event Criticism ¶
Despite the apparent reconciliation, Ruto criticized Uhuru just days later at a rally in Kilifi. He dismissed claims of vote theft and attacked both Uhuru and Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga, asserting, "My competitor has no capacity to do anything about port operations and the land issues because his sponsors are actually the problem."
Madaraka Day Commemorations ¶
The political tensions coincided with Madaraka Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens on June 1, 2022, where Uhuru led national commemorations. The event marked his final national holiday in office before the August 9 polls.
