President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga will not after all visit the Port of Kisumu on Thursday (today) as planned, it has now emerged.
The two leaders were expected to lead four other Presidents from East Africa in launching the refurbished port which would link East Africa through Lake Victoria.
Previously, Uhuru and Raila have jointly visited the port 3 times to check on the progress with the latest being in June during the burial of Governor Anyang Nyong'o's mother.
State House spokesperson Kanze Dena said that it's the committee responsible for the trip that could give details on why the event was cancelled.
“The event was being organised by the port launch committee and they informed us that the event had been postponed. It was not a State House event. It could be because the President has been out of the country and they wanted to give him time to plan his diary,” she said.
The launch team comprises representatives from the national and county governments, Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Railways Corporation, Kenya Rural Roads Authority, Kenya Urban Roads Authority, city management, as well as security organs.
Committee Secretary Aloice Ager told journalists that members needed to consult further before a final statement was issued to the press.Mr Ager, however, declined to comment on allegations that the event had been postponed.
“I am not the one to talk about that. Let the team consult and we will call you back to give you clear information about the event.”
Those who were expected are Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), John Magufuli (Tanzania), Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and newly elected DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi.
Until now, over Sh3 billion have been used to revive the port, which is expected to connect the East Africa countries. Mr Odinga is behind the project.