[Raila Odinga arrives in Nyeri for Madaraka Day celebrations. A political analyst now blamed DP William Ruto for failing to recognize the opposition leader during the event. Photo/Dennis Onyango]
A day after being snubbed at a national function in Nyeri, a political analyst attributes Raila Odinga’s woes to DP William Ruto whom he claims breached the protocol deliberately.
His first national function in as many years, the flamboyant opposition leader beat all odds to attend the Madaraka Day function held at President Uhuru Kenyatta’s home turf Nyeri.
And the decision to deny him a chance to address the public led to outburst on social media networks with DP Ruto being on centre stage.
“This is a national function and in attendance is former Prime Minister and key opposition figure. Procedurally, recognizing his presence is fundamental,” says Dismas Mokua.
Mokua adds: “The DP takes over and has an opportunity to recognize Odinga leave alone inviting him but goes ahead, makes his speech and invites president. This was not right.”
Earlier, a similar breach of protocol was evident when Nyeri governor Samuel Wamathai failed to recognize local leaders who had attended.
The incident isn’t the first to raise eyebrows on DP’s action in public given he again snubbed Odinga at in 2013 Jamhuri Day celebrations in Nairobi.