This archive report was first published on 28 November 2019.
On November 28, 2019, the Building Bridges Initiative report was launched at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi, a move that exposed the deep divisions within the Jubilee Party.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto, who are leaders of the Jubilee Party, displayed a palpable cold war during the event, with their body language speaking volumes.
Deputy President Ruto, known for his jovial nature, was noticeably subdued, rarely engaging in conversations with other leaders, including Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga.
At one point, Ruto asked the audience not to speak in Swahili, but it was clear that he was perturbed by the situation.
Senate Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen took to the podium to claim that some leaders had been intentionally locked out from the programme, further highlighting the divisions within the party.
Leader of Majority at the National Assembly Aden Duale had earlier cautioned President Uhuru Kenyatta against allowing some people around him to sabotage the Building Bridges Initiative.
Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi took to Twitter to express his concerns about the situation, saying, 'H.E Uhuru must be COMMENDED for building bridge with Hon Raila & bringing him from the COLD. So when is Uhuru building bridge with his Deputy Ruto,end the palpable cold war he has with him?The discomfort,the unease, the total absence of communication btw Uhuru & Ruto is DANGEROUS.'
