Raila Odinga Junior publicly supported President Uhuru Kenyatta’s choice to exclude Deputy William Ruto from speaking at the 2022 Madaraka Day ceremony, referencing historical land disputes at Uhuru Gardens. The event, held at the Uhuru Gardens Monument and Museum, marked the first time Ruto was not invited to address the gathering.
The ODM leader’s son shared a social media post stating: "Uhuru Gardens reclaimed. It is said it extended as far as past Lang’ata Primary School. Huyu! angechafua wengi roho angekubaliwa kuongea kwa reclaimed site yet ni mhusika mkuu au sio." The message implied Ruto had previously occupied part of the site before its 2019 government reclamation.
In his address, Kenyatta acknowledged the 68-acre Uhuru Gardens had been unlawfully occupied, including a section of the Wilson Airport runway. He emphasized the 2019 action to reclaim the land, calling it a restoration of its "dignity and purity." However, he did not explicitly name Ruto or suggest his involvement.
The exclusion broke from past traditions, as Ruto typically introduced the president. Analysts linked the move to the 2018 political rift between Kenyatta and Ruto, with the latter now aligned with Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja coalition.
Also Read: How President Uhuru Cleverly Attacked DP Ruto in Madaraka Day Speech
