This archive report was first published on 20 October 2019.
Rais Kenyatta's Abrupt Departure from Mashujaa Celebrations Raises Eyebrows ¶
On October 20, 2019, Rais Uhuru Kenyatta attended the Mashujaa celebrations in Mombasa, where he was expected to engage with other leaders and dignitaries. However, in a surprise move, he left the event without saying goodbye to the other leaders, including his deputy, Raila Odinga, and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.
According to eyewitnesses, Rais Kenyatta's departure was abrupt, with him leaving the event without making any remarks or engaging with the other leaders. This was unusual, as Rais Kenyatta is known to make 'off-the-cuff' remarks after delivering his speeches, but on this occasion, he remained silent.
His departure was also notable because he did not make any comments on the contentious issues of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and the Handshake between himself and Raila Odinga. Raila Odinga had earlier stated that the Handshake was aimed at uniting Kenyans, and he had been urging the people of Mombasa to support the BBI.
It is worth noting that Rais Kenyatta's departure from the event was not the only unusual aspect of the celebrations. He had also delivered a speech without making any 'off-the-cuff' remarks, which is a common practice for him.
His departure has raised eyebrows, with many wondering about the reasons behind it. Was it a deliberate move to avoid engaging with the other leaders, or was it simply a mistake? Only time will tell.
