Deputy President William Ruto was conspicuously absent from President Uhuru Kenyatta's Kenya Defense Forces pass out parade in Eldoret.
Uhuru presided over the function which saw over 3,000 soldiers graduating from Recruits Training School ahead of missions in KDF's three services.
"President Uhuru Kenyatta is in Uasin Gishu County to preside over the passing out parade of the Kenya Defence Forces Recruits at Moi Barracks in Eldoret. Over 3,000 soldiers are graduating today from the Recruits Training School (RTS)," State House said in a statement.
Dr Ruto rarely misses out in trips where the President presides over in the larger Rift Valley region. The two attended opening of Rivertex industries few months ago.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago is the one who ushered President Uhuru Kenyatta to the RTS when he landed. He introduced a number of government officials.
This comes amid disquiet between Uhuru and Ruto, which is being fueled by succession battles. Uhuru has been accusing a section of Ruto's allies of engaging in premature campaigns.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has often gone ballistic against the president. RTS is found in Soy constituency, which is under Ruto's former aide Caleb Kositany.
While the function is purely presidential, it may raise questions about the relationship between the two. The DP has openly opposed Uhuru's Building Bridges Initiative.
The recruits graduated at the time Kenya is involved in a maritime dispute with Somalia. Currently, over 4,000 KDF soldiers are deployed as part of AMISOM forces in Somalia.
Kenya last week had her request to postpone the case at International Court of Justice granted after an application by Attorney General Kihara Kariuki.
“Due to exceptional circumstances, occasioned by the need to recruit a new defence team, Kenya has sought to have the matter postponed,” Mr Kariuki’s office also known as the State Law Office said on Tuesday.
“The Rules of the Court allows for postponement of the hearing of the case to afford the parties an opportunity to be represented.”
Majority Leader Aden Duale recently tabled a motion that could see Kenya deploying more soldiers to the disputed border at the Indian Ocean.