President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday sent tongues wagging after he made an unprecedented move, settling on Defence Secretary Rachel Omamo to deliver his speech at an event that was also attended by his deputy William Ruto.
Despite being the highest ranking government official during the installation of Philip Anyolo as Kisumu Catholic Diocese Archbishop, the DP was not the last to give his speech neither did he deliver the President’s speech as is often the case that he acts as the representative of the President in his absence.
The DP gave his speech and gifted the incoming bishop a Mitsubishi Pajero after which he invited the CS to deliver the President’s speech.
Common practice is that the DP or the highest ranking government official delivers speaks last and often delivers the President’s speech.
First to speak was Raila Odinga who invited DP Ruto. CS Omamo delivered the President’s speech that marked the climax of the event.
Frosty relations in Jubilee as 2022 succession politics heats up
Coming in the wake of reports of a fallout in Jubilee over the 2022 succession, the move sent tongues wagging with the attentive public keenly following the unfolding events in the political scene.
Media reports attributed to well-placed sources in the Jubilee administration allege a frosty relationship between the Jubilee party leaders.
The reports allege that mistrust has found its way between the between the once inseparable pair that captivated the public with their bromance at public events with 2022 succession politics and the battle for Jubilee’s soul taking center stage.
The two Jubilee Party luminaries were scheduled to meet at the launch Mama Ngina Waterfront but this did not materials as the DP skipped the event at the last minute in unclear circumstances.
Yesterday’s event at Uzima university was also attended by opposition chief Raila Odinga.
Others present at the event were CSs Eugene Wamalwa (Devolution) and Raychelle Omamo (Defence); MPs Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini) and Otiende Amolo (Rarieda); Senators Moses Kajwang (Homa Bay) and Moses Wetangula (Bungoma) and Governors Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) and Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma).
Given the positions they occupy, it is not uncommon for CS to represent the president at events.