Uhuru Dumps Kenya Airways For Uganda Airlines
President William Ruto and his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, will be present at the same event for the first time in more than a year, marking their reunion since the transfer of power.
On Friday, the administration of Kenya’s fourth president disclosed that Kenyatta had arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the same day, preceding the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Felix Tshisekedi.
Significant to mention is the decision of the ex-head of State to fly on a Uganda Airlines aircraft, deviating from his usual preference for the Kenya Air Force planes that he had been using since stepping down from office.
“President (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta has this evening arrived at N’Djili International Airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ahead of the inauguration ceremony of the president-elect H.E. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo,” Uhuru press team announced.
In November 2022, just two months after transferring the symbols of authority to Ruto, the ex-President traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo aboard a plane from the Kenya Air Force.
At that moment, Uhuru was assigned by the East African Community to oversee the peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the government conflicted with rebel forces. Additionally, Ruto deployed a contingent of 900 Kenyan Defence Forces soldiers to provide support to the nation’s military.
Ruto is anticipated to attend the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Saturday at Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa.
The Head of State left Uganda, where he engaged in several meetings, including a summit of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), around 3:00 pm, as per reports.
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During the upcoming gathering, Ruto and Uhuru will be nearby for the first time since Ruto’s inauguration in September 2022. It is uncertain whether they will find common ground, particularly given Ruto’s consistent allegations of Uhuru undermining the economy.
While Ruto will be present at Tshisekedi’s swearing-in ceremony for the first time, Uhuru previously attended the initial inauguration of the DRC President in January 2019.
The ex-President was the sole leader present at the inauguration ceremony, even though the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government extended invitations to 17 other heads of state from countries such as Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Sierra Leone, and Haiti.
However, only representatives from the 17 attended the ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Kinshasa, the state’s capital.
In the upcoming event, 15 Heads of State are anticipated to attend, along with various dignitaries, including Opposition leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka. Raila and Kalonzo were also present at the inauguration in 2019.
Uhuru Dumps Kenya Airways For Uganda Airlines
