Deputy President, Wiliam Ruto was a no show at the late President Moi’s first Anniversary even as many prominent leaders graced the occasion.
Ruto’s spokesman, Emannuel Talam, was surprised that Ruto was not invited to the ceremony by the Moi’s family. Talam was even shocked by the news of such a function.
“Is there such a ceremony? The DP has not received any invitation. You know those are private functions the DP is never invited to. We will be in Kwale,” Talam said.
The DP was commissioning government projects in Lunga Lunga Constituency and attended a few public rallies later.
Ruto officially launched Mwangulu Police Station and Mwereni Chief’s office in Kwale County on Thursday, 4 February 2021. The two projects were funded by Lunga Lunga National Government Constituencies Development Fund.
The rivalry between Ruto and Moi's family has gone a notch higher since the former president passed on when the DP was prevented from viewing the body at the Lee Funeral Home immediately after Moi died.
Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi who was in the company of Ruto then was on record saying that they had tried asking the administration to allow the DP to view the body, a request which the attendant refused.
Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat had said several dignitaries would grace today's anniversary but did not mention Ruto. Salat even emphasized that the occasion was a private one and was meant for invitees only mostly friends and families.
In 2019, the DP is reported to have been denied access to the Home of the late Mzee Moi when the family was mourning their son, Jonathan Toroitich.
Early this year, the Deputy President and some of his allies were criticized after rowdy youths blocked KANU’s Chairman Gideon Moi from holding a meeting with Talai elders. The incident forced Moi to turn back where he ended up addressing Kenyans in trading centers in Kapsisiywo in Nandi County.
However, the DP did not comment on the action of the youths who were even chanting his name.
Two weeks later, the Talai elders opted to travel and join the Senator with his family at their home in Kabarak where they crowned him as their official leader by giving him the community's instruments of power.
The memorial event has widened the chasm between the DP and the Moi family as the debate continues over who will be the next Rift Valley Kingpin.
