Uhuru avoids Ruto handshake, then greets Kibaki children
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto did not shake hands when the two leaders met at Parliament to pay their last respects to the fallen former president Mwai Kibaki.
In a move that has left Kenyans in speculation mode, the Head of State instead held his hands together as if in prayer and bowed towards Ruto’s direction while forcing a smile.
The DP responded in a similar fashion.
This mode of greetings is increasingly popular in Kenyan circles ever since the advent of Covid-19.
Interestingly, President Kenyatta was spotted shaking hands and chatting with President Kibaki’s family inside Parliament moments later.
The contrast in greetings comes at a time the President and his Deputy have differed on almost everything on the political front.
The two politicians have also exchanged not-so-pleasant words in public.
For example, the retiring head of State accused his Deputy of not providing solutions to challenges the country faces and instead bickering over state projects on top of cars.
“The problem of Kenya is leaders who know how to identify problems but cannot provide solutions. You will see him lamenting about the price of maize, cooking oil in press conferences,” he said.
President Kenyatta has also backtracked on his earlier announcement that he’ll back a Ruto presidency instead throwing his weight behind a Raila Odinga presidency.
“May God bless Raila, the fifth President of Kenya, to lead the country. I am confident Raila will move the country forward and ensure Kenya is respected globally,” said President Kenyatta at a recent political event.
Ruto has also accused his boss of wasting tax payers money to support the failed Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), a move aimed at changing the constituion.
The late President Mwai Kibaki’s body will lie in State for three days leading to the State funeral on Friday and burial on Saturday at his home in Othaya, Nyeri County.