President Uhuru Kenyatta has gone silent and has never uttered a word since the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati declared William Ruto the winner.
Traditionally, all the Kenyan presidents after their declaration made their way to the statehouse to pay a courtesy call to the incumbent but that has since changed in the just concluded 2022 general elections.
Most Kenyans expected William Ruto’s convoy to head straight to statehouse from the Bomas of Kenya or if not immediately, he ought to have gone to statehouse the next day just as a sign of goodwill from the sitting head of state.
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President Uhuru had on several occasions made it clear that he would not hand over power to a “thief” which was construed to mean a direct attack on his deputy following many corruption allegations against him.
Therefore, Uhuru’s silence may only imply that perhaps he does not recognize the win by William Ruto given how the IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati conducted his activities at Bomas even as the other four commissioners protested the final results.
As the commander in chief of the armed forces, perhaps he has some information from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) that the whole electoral exercise was a fraud.
His silence may also imply that he has been left with an egg on his face since he was very sure that the Azimio presidential candidate and his runningmate Martha Karua would carry the day and sent his deputy back to Sugoi.
Most importantly, the president may be a very disappointed man and his silence may be the only way to help him heal from such a defeat. President Uhuru on the last days of the campaign went to his local radio stations where he persuaded his backyard to reject Ruto at the ballot.
On his side, the Mathira member of parliament Rigathi Gachagua who is the deputy president elect stated that the swearing in ceremony will go on with or without president Uhuru.
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He even cited the case of the United States where former president Donald Trump, who gave a wide berth to the swearing-in ceremony of president Joe Biden after a humiliating defeat.
“What is only required during the swearing-in ceremony is the presence of the Chief Justice, it is not even that sword, that is just ceremonial. But we are asking him to be a gentleman.” He said.
He also added that the “continued silence by the head of the state” is worrying, noting that while he is not under any obligation to congratulate the winner, it was only wise if he came out from his ‘hideout’ and addressed the nation.
He continued: “Even if he does not want to congratulate Ruto he should do the honorable thing and send a message of peace to Kenyans,”
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