President William Ruto and former Deputy President Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua are expected to share the same podium in Embu on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
Ruto and his former deputy are both attending the installation of Rt. Reverend Peter Kimani as Embu Diocese Bishop.
Gachagua arrived first at the venue of the consecration event accompanied by a few of his allies including Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba.
“I am delighted to join the Catholic faithful in the Diocese of Embu for the Episcopal Ordination and Installation of Rt. Rev. Peter Kimani as the Bishop of the Embu Diocese.
“Congratulations, Bishop Kimani, I wish you the very best on this day and always as you Shepherd in the vineyard of the Lord,” Gachagua wrote on his social media page.
On the other hand, Ruto shared a live link streaming the proceedings of the consecration event in Embu which confirmed his attendance.
Ruto was accompanied by Gachagua’s successor, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki who also shared a live feed of the event.
A surprising guest at the event was former President Uhuru Kenyatta whose arrival was greeted with wild cheers from residents who had attended the consecration service.
His Excellency, President (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta, arrives at the University of Embu grounds for the Episcopal Consecration and Installation of Bishop-Elect Monsignor Peter Kimani Ndung’u as the Catholic Bishop of Embu Diocese. The colorful ceremony is presided over by Archbishop… pic.twitter.com/cZnCq0z8pv
— Office of the 4th President of Kenya. (@4thPresidentKE) November 16, 2024
First time meeting
This is the first public meeting between the two leaders following their messy political divorce. Gachagua was impeached despite his pleading with his then-boss, President Ruto to intervene and stop the ouster motion.
Throughout the impeachment hearing, Ruto remained mum but acted immediately after the Senate upheld the impeachment motion by nominating Kindiki to take over.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Ruto took a swipe at Gachagua by claiming that he was lonely for two years.
“Today, we have more teachers. We have a new funding model that is student-based, which we are refining to make sure that no child in Kenya is left behind. My dear Prof Kindiki, I need your voice, I need your intellect to help me and to help members of our Cabinet, to profile the things we are doing.
“I have almost become a lonely voice in the Executive, especially in the presidency, speaking about our projects, speaking about our programmes, elaborating on what we are doing,” Ruto stated.
He added “You are eloquent, my brother, you are intelligent, I am confident that you will do that which I have missed for the last two years. I know you will.”
Gachagua on the other hand has been calling out the administration over some policies including tax policies which he argued are retrogressive.
Uhuru has also been missing from public events in the country. His presence in Embu was second just days after he attended a high-level meeting in Nigeria.
Before showing up in Nigeria, Kenyans had questioned his silence.
Ruto at crossroads with Catholic Church
The event also comes at a time when Ruto is facing harsh criticism from the catholic church. A section of the clergy from the church called out his administration accusing of it of promoting a culture of lies, unkept promises and failing to act on abductions.
The statement attracted mixed reactions from the political class with Ruto’s allies castigating the catholic church for their statement.
Ruto on his side asked the church to criticise him factually.