Excitement ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta's visit to Eldoret for launch of Rivatex factory

Excitement ahead of Uhuru’s visit to Eldoret tomorrow

Tony Mukere

June 20, 2019 3:40 PM

Ruto supporters have already taken to the streets

Excitement ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta's visit to Eldoret for launch of Rivatex factory

There was excitement on Thursday after it emerged that President Uhuru Kenyatta would visit the area on Friday on a development mission.

President Kenyatta will lead government officials in launching a textile factory, Rivatex, in Kapseret constituency, Uasin Gishu county.

The tour has particularly gained attention as it is coming amid reports of a growing divide and division among Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto who hails from Uasin Gishu.

On Thursday afternoon, a group of Ruto’s supporters took to the streets with posters bearing Ruto’s images.

Political observers will be watching to see how the President is received by Ruto’s die-hard supporters especially after he made an angry speech reprimanding those who have started early campaigns.

Excitement ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta's visit to Eldoret for launch of Rivatex factory Pulse Live Kenya

Oscar Sudi

Kenyatta’s tirade was perceived by many observers as an indirect reprimand of his deputy who has been making numerous tours to marshal support for his 2022 presidential race.

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, whose constituency Kenyatta will visit, has made recently made speeches and statements highly critical of the President.

Hours after Kenyatta’s Sunday speech, Sudi took to social media where he accused the head of state of speaking under the influence of alcohol.

The sharp-tongued MP also accused Kenyatta of being ungrateful of the support he had received from elected leaders.

The Nation had on Thursday said State House officials, who are in charge of the ceremony, are keen not to have Sudi deliver a speech during the event.

Tony Mukere