President Kenyatta, DP Ruto surprise lunch date amidst fallout reports

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday made a surprise visit to his deputy William Ruto’s office where the two reportedly engaged in closed-door talks after lunch.

The Head of State’s motorcade outside DP Ruto’s offices caused a stir in Nairobi’s Central Business District as sources say President Kenyatta walked to the Harambee House Annex office after a function at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).

President Kenyatta and DP Ruto were flanked by other leaders including Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua among others during the lunch and subsequent meeting.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy, Dr. William Ruto today shared a working lunch at the DP’s Harambee House Annex office during which the two leaders discussed matters related to the Government‘s development agenda,” read a tweet posted by State House.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy, Dr. @WilliamsRuto today shared a working lunch at the DP's Harambee House Annex office during which the two leaders discussed matters related to the Government‘s development agenda. pic.twitter.com/wsVeFkaCL6

— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) March 26, 2019

The visit caused mixed reactions among Kenyans as it comes in the midst of a perceived rift between the two over the war on graft.

Politicians allied to the DP have long accused investigative agencies of being used by President Kenyatta to fight Mr. Ruto using the war on corruption.

Mr. Kenyatta’s allies, on the other hand, have rubbished the claims further urging DP Ruto’s allies to quit the Jubilee party if they feel threatened.

The speculation of a rift between the two was further heightened by a recent tweet posted on President Kenyatta’s account that read: “If you are corrupt we will fight you. You can be my brother or my sister or my closest political ally. I won’t be clouded by ethnicity or status in my quest to leave behind a united nation and I will continue championing for Kenya’s unity.”

An hour later, however, the President’s Facebook and Twitter accounts were suspended and were yet to be brought back up as at the time of publishing.