Concerns have risen after President William Ruto unexpectedly shortened his planned tour of the Coast region.
This was after Ruto returned to Nairobi on Sunday immediately after addressing Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kwale Stadium.
The sudden schedule changes saw the President cancel key engagements in Mombasa, including the much-anticipated launch of affordable housing units at the VOK area and a visit to the Port of Mombasa.
Unlike his previous visits to the region, where he typically engaged with the public and delivered lengthy speeches, Ruto’s public appearances were minimal, and his address at the Mashujaa Day celebrations was largely scripted.
According to Standard Digital, sources suggest the president’s access was tightly controlled, and the usual fanfare surrounding his arrival was absent. Prominent political allies who typically gather at Moi International Airport to receive him were notably missing this time.
The Mashujaa Day program itself appeared hurried, with President Ruto delivering a 43-minute speech before leaving the venue in a military helicopter. His motorcade avoided the heavily populated Changamwe area, where he usually stops to address enthusiastic crowds.
After the speech, he swiftly departed the stadium, bypassing the traditional interactions with local residents.
Ruto arrived at the Kwale Stadium earlier than scheduled, catching many by surprise. According to the official program, he was expected at 10:15 am but made his entrance at 9:50 am.
Military personnel hastily set up the parade just minutes before his arrival. In a departure from his usual off-the-cuff style, the president kept to his written remarks, only briefly touching on land issues in a short, impromptu Kiswahili statement.
Behind the scenes, Ruto is reported to have held a brief meeting with select Coast leaders at the newly constructed Kwale mini-state lodge. However, some key figures traditionally by his side during regional visits, such as Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, were absent.
It remains unclear why the program was altered and why these leaders did not attend.
The abrupt changes have fueled speculation, especially following recent political developments, including claims by impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that he had planned to attend the event in Kwale.
While the reasons behind the altered schedule remain unclear, the unexpected nature of the changes has left many observers and political analysts questioning what prompted the rushed proceedings.
This comes after Gachagua claimed that he was barred from attending the celebrations. Speaking after being discharged from Karen hospital, Gachagua claimed that instructions were given to government and private choppers owners at Wilson Airport not to allow him fly to Kwale.
By Kenyans