President uhuru Kenyatta at Manyani retreat. PHOTO | PSCU |
Kenyans react on the protocol breach when the President arrived at the Manyani Airstrip on Friday.
As a usual, the President is always welcomed by his deputy whenever they are in the same function but it was different on Friday.
When the President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived for the Cabinet retreat, he was received by Interior CS Fred Matiang’i as his Deputy President William Ruto observed.
Uhuru bent to Matiang’i before doing the same to Ruto due to the Ministry of Health protocols.
According to protocols, the president should be received by the deputy president. If the DP is not around, he should be received by the speaker of the National Assembly, leader of the majority or any Cabinet secretary available.
Supporters were shocked as Ruto allies, including Elgeyo Marakwet Kipchumba Murkomen teased Matiang’i.
“The Deputy President Fred Matiangi receiving the President thereafter introduce other Cabinet members,” he tweeted.
He added: “Those of us who didn’t witness the last days of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta ‘will see things’ in the next 22 months.”
Nominated MP Millicent Omanga said the breach evokes Kenyans of the old days when former and late President Daniel Moi ruled.
“This reminds me of how Moi was frustrated as vice president by people who didn’t want him to ascend to the throne. The rest is history,” she said.
This reminds me how Moi was frustrated as vice president by people who didn’t want him to ascend to the throne. The rest is history. pic.twitter.com/FheIDPa4s3
— Millicent Omanga (@MillicentOmanga) October 16, 2020