Deputy President William Ruto is set to attend the Madaraka Day celebrations that will be held in Kisumu City, Kisumu County on June 1, 2021, but will not take part in launching projects alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Director of Communication at the DP's office Emmanuel Talam stated that DP Ruto will grace the celebrations and only that.
"He has been invited for the Madaraka Day celebrations and he will definitely go. For the other projects, he has not been invited. Those are different functions," Talam said.
This comes at the back of uproar from allies of the deputy president who have claimed that he has been sidelined from the government.
On Saturday, May 29, State House issued a statement indicating that President Uhuru Kenyatta will be accompanied in the launch of government projects by ODM leader Raila Odinga and Burundi President Evariste Ndashimiye.
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"It's Madaraka Day for the two handshake partners and their cronies. A very sad situation but everything will change soon, they will never stop the power of God and the people," Keiyo South Member of Parliament Daniel Rono to Daily Nation on May 31.
South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro reiterated that the office of the Deputy President is a constitutional office that should be respected.
President Kenyatta met a section of legislators from Nyanza at State House on May 28, a move that elicited mixed reactions among supporters of the DP.
Senator Kipchumba Murkomen alleged that the MPs were promised development projects in their regions for their renewed friendship and allegiance to the Head of State.
He claimed that President Kenyatta directed the lawmakers from Nyanza to utilise the existing relationship between him and ODM leader Raila Odinga to ensure the completion of development projects in their backyards.
"The President told the Luo leaders to take advantage of good relationship between him and Raila Odinga to ensure projects are budgeted and completed in their region.
"Really? Why should development of any part of Kenya be dependent on personal relationships with the President?" Murkomen posed.
Murkomen alleged that the frosty relationship between a section of leaders from the Rift Valley region had led to the 'death' of projects such as Arror, Kimwarer, Itare, Bosto, Keben dams, and the Londiani Hospital.
He alleged that if President Kenyatta means well for the country, he and Deputy President William Ruto should meet and engage leaders from all parts of the country.
"For our region we want to discuss Govt projects and the economy especially farmers issues. Will he really meet us or visit R.Valley anytime soon?" he posed.
