Nairobi News

NewsWhat's Hot

Ruto at State House for Obama meeting


Deputy President William Ruto has arrived State House, Nairobi ahead of bilateral talks between Kenya and US which will be chaired by President Barack Obama and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta.

Pictures showing Mr Ruto’s arrival at State House were tweeted Saturday afternoon by government newsroom, Nexus Kenya. The bilateral talks will take place later this afternoon.

Political analysts have urged President Obama to meet and shake hands with DP Ruto while in Kenya.

Speculation has gathered in recent days that he will not be comfortable within the presence of Ruto during his stay.

CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

Mr Ruto is currently defending himself from charges of crimes against humanity leveled against him by the Hague based International Criminal Court, and America has in the past indicated that it is not comfortable working with leaders facing charges in court.

But speaking to a local television on Wednesday night political analyst Barrack Muluka and former Ethics and Anti Corruption boss PLO Lumumba suggested that avoiding Ruto will be an “embarrassment”.

“Kenya is hosting Obama, it will not be fair for him to come and decide whom to meet and not to meet for whichever reason,” Lumumba said.

Lumumba’s comments were complimented by Muluka who added that; ” It could be an embarrassing scenario because Mr. Ruto is no ordinary Kenyan, he is one of the most powerful people around and was voted into power by Kenyans on a free will.”

Obama could be the second high profile American politician to avoid Ruto during his trip to Kenya, this coming hot on the heels of a snub by US Secretary of State John Kerry in May.