A section of Kenyans is a disgruntled lot because Deputy President William Ruto was not given a chance to make a speech during the 59th celebration of Madaraka Day on Wednesday.


This was the first instance that Ruto did not give a speech during the celebration of a national holiday.

In the previous events, it is a tradition that Ruto speaks first before inviting the president to offer his speech.

However, during the Madaraka Day celebration on Wednesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta skipped protocol and invited the visiting president of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio to give his speech before continuing to offer his.

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While acknowledging state officials and invited guests, Uhuru once again failed to mention the name of his deputy.

“Your Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Hon. Speakers, Your Ladyship the Chief Justice, leaders from across the entire spectrum of our nation, members of the diplomatic corps, fellow Kenyans, ladies and gentlemen, Happy Madaraka Day!” Uhuru said.

Kenyans read this as a sign of the antagonism between them that has seen the president and his deputy drift apart.

Sources say that earlier in the day, Uhuru and the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta hosted cabinet secretaries for a brief ceremony at the State House and apparently, Ruto was not among the guests.


He was already at Uhuru Gardens to receive the Sierra Leone President and his First Lady.

However, Ruto’s spokesperson Emmanuel Talam said Ruto was not invited to the State House event.