Governor Anyang' Nyong'o kept off from President Uhuru Kenyatta's unannounced trip to Kisumu for fear of breaching protocol, his communication director Bob Madanji has said.
Prof Nyong'o and his deputy Mathews Owilli went on with their business as President Uhuru Kenyatta inspected the newly renovated Kisumu Port.
The Tuesday's trip was Uhuru forth to the facility this year, an indication that the head of state wants it launched soonest to open trade with East African countries.
In the previous visit, Nyong'o who wasn't informed as well, joined the president after being given a tip by ODM leader Raila Odinga, a for cum friend of Uhuru.
Police officer manning the facility had to cock his gun when rowdy youths demanded to greet the President who was already in the port.
“We cannot be denied access to our President. Allow us to greet him,” shouted some youth in the crowd.
A jovial Uhuru was received by port officials and inspection committee led by Kisumu East Deputy County Commissioner Josephine Ouko.
“First, he went straight to board MV Uhuru vessel that has been on a test run. He then toured the port facility and finally retreated to Kisumu Yacht Club,” said a security official who was at the port.
Nyong'o is one of key advisors of ODM leader Raila Odinga and is said to have contributed to the handshake between the two after years of rivalry.