Deputy President William Ruto was a no show as President Uhuru Kenyatta chaired a meeting of top government officials at State House, Nairobi on Thursday.

President Kenyatta demanded the conclusion of ongoing projects being implemented by the government as he seeks to tighten his legacy slightly over a year to the end of his term.

He urged his Jubilee Cabinet Secretaries (CSs), Principal Secretaries (PSs)and Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) to focus on completing projects that were already launched.

“The President outlined to the officers his vision and priorities for this year, top among them the completion of ongoing government projects and programmes across all sectors and regions of the country,” said State House spokesperson Kanze Dena, in a statement.

In photos shared on the official State House social media pages, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua are seen sitting together with the president at the front signifying the elevated roles.

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It remains unclear whether Dr Ruto was invited but snubbed the meeting or he was left out following the bad blood between him and Kenyatta that has been playing out in the public.

This is the second time he has been left out of a key meeting chaired by the Head of State and senior government officers after a similar exclusion from a State House meet in August 2020.

During the Thursday meeting Kenyatta is reported to have directed the government officers to ensure they manage public funds prudently and effectively to deliver services to Kenyans.

President Kenyatta, whose first term was characterised by public bromance with his deputy has since fallen out with Ruto over his ambitions and campaigns to succeed him in 2022 before he realised his development agenda ahead of the conclusion of his term.