President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday, May 1, broke military tradition by publicly questioning his Aide de Camp on his salary during his speech at the Labour Day celebrations at the Nyayo Stadium.
Uhuru, who is known to have a cordial relationship with his security detail, openly asked his ADC whether he received a pay cut in the wake of the global pandemic.
Stunned and taken by surprise, the bodyguard saluted the Head of State before responding to the question.
"There is no teacher, civil servant, police officer, who was fired because of lack of funds. All our people continued to work, without having to go through pay cuts witnessed in other countries.
" And that is the truth, whether or not people accept it. Were you fired?" the president posed. "No sir," said his bodyguard, who saluted him as is demanded when addressing the Head of state.
ADC are forwarded by the military to take care of the President's personal needs such as carrying the Commander in Chief's files, phones, and other personal items.
The officer occupying the ceremonial role also accompanies the head of state on all public functions. Traditionally, the ADCs never react to the President's speech although a few exceptions have been witnessed in recent years.
Uhuru continued with his speech and noted that the state was alive to the tribulations that the Kenyan workers face, citing the pandemic as one of them and promising that it would do its best to cushion its people.
The Head of State took the opportunity to address the increase in the cost of living, particularly responding to his critics who questioned how he was handling the matter.
He went guns blazing at Deputy President William Ruto, accusing him of abandoning him when he needed the most. Uhuru called out his deputy, who had accused him of working with connected companies to create the artificial fuel shortage.
"Instead of some leaders strategising on how to offer solutions, they go to incite citizens to ask Uhuru. Am I in Ukraine? Did I bring Covid into the country? Instead of coming to help me with advice to help our people, you are in the market with insults," he noted.
Ruto clapped back at his boss, ridiculing him about his public outcry. The DP noted that it was Uhuru who shot himself in the foot by assigning his duties to other individuals in the government and should thus bear the brunt of his decisions.
"Sorry, my Boss. I feel your pain. Those you assigned my responsibilities and 'project' mzee have let you down miserably.
"They bangled our Big 4, killed our party and wasted your second term. Boss, I am available. Just a phone call away. Sadly last Cabinet was 2 years ago," the DP stated, signing off as "Yule Number Two, instead of his official title.
