Uhuru makes low key return after 10-day overseas trip

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday evening jetted back into the country in a low key return; a big departure from the norm.

The president’s communication team would on normal occasions post photos of the Head of State leaving or returning to the country from official business and a delegation of top government officials including the deputy president, Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Head of Defence Forces and senior politicians are always in line to welcome or see off the president.

However, this time round the situation was different as no communication was made through the official social media accounts of the presidency.

Incidentally, the head of state’s return from the overseas trip came at a time the country is bursting with anger over the implementation of a 16% Value Added Tax (V.A.T) on petroleum products.

While President Kenyatta was away, most Kenyans took to social media to complain about his apparent silence on the fuel levy whose fate appears to be on his hands.

His big dilemma is whether or not to sign into law the Finance Bill 2018 that subsequently shelves the implementation of the VAT on petroleum, a move that would deny the government Ksh.71 billion in revenues

President Kenyatta left the country for Beijing on Friday, August 31, 2018, to attend the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. He also held bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping focusing on trade, infrastructure, investments, education and technology which are common areas of interest for both Kenya and China.

He then headed to Dubai where he is said to have pitched camp since Wednesday, September 5, 2018.

The president’s social media presence ceased on September 4 after he left Dubai.