This archive report was first published on 22 October 2019.
Deputy President William Ruto's Mashujaa Day celebrations speech in Mombasa was a masterclass in avoiding controversy, after he was tipped off about plans to heckle him.
According to sources, a group of youths had been imported to the venue to shout down Ruto if he dared oppose the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and Handshake.
However, Ruto's allies, led by Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, had also organized a counter-crowd to cheer him on, which drowned out the hecklers.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was also in attendance, is said to have prevailed upon Ruto to avoid discussing politics in his speech, after it emerged that the event could turn into a fracas.
Earlier, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho had tried to draw Ruto and President Kenyatta into the debate on BBI and Handshake, but the two avoided it.
Raila had said that the BBI was unstoppable and urged Kenyans to support it, while Joho launched an attack on unnamed leaders whom he claimed were advancing personal interests.
However, Ruto chose to highlight the Jubilee government's achievements and asked Kenyans to support President Kenyatta's development agenda.
