ODM leader Raila Odinga did not get an opportunity to address thousands of Kenyans who had attended the Madaraka Day celebrations in Narok on Saturday.
Deputy President William Ruto made entry to the stadium shortly after the arrival of Mr Odinga and greeted him briefly at the main dais before President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived.
However, during the speeches, Dr Ruto, despite recognising Raila's presence, did not invite him to address the people. When he mentioned Mr Odinga's name, there was general excitement in the field.
"Tuko na viongozi wengi sana, na hawezi ongea wote. Acha nimwalike mheshimiwa rais," he said. (We have many leaders here and they can't all address you. Let me invite the president)," said Ruto.
In previous national celebrations, Mr Odinga has often been invited to briefly address the people. On Saturday, he was in the company of former Vice President Musalia Mudavadi.
Ruto and Odinga have been at loggerheads in recent weeks, with the DP accusing the former premier of being involved in the fake gold scandal.
“Raila should carry his own cross on the gold issue and stop putting in jeopardy job and business opportunities for thousands of Kenyans in UAE,” he said as quoted by the Standard.
Mr Odinga, however, denied having a role in the scam, adding that he acted as a whistleblower. He also accused Dr Ruto of being insensitive.
“I was the whistle-blower in the fake gold syndicate when I discovered some people were using senior government officials’ names to con businessmen,” he said.