Why DP Ruto cancelled meeting in London

Why DP Ruto cancelled meeting in London

Deputy President William Ruto who arrived in London on Thursday was to meet Kenyans in the diaspora on Friday but cancelled the last minute.

A spot check by Citizen Digital showed that the Kenya High Commission had scheduled a cocktail for Friday at 1830.

The session was to be one and a half-hours long with Dr. Ruto expected to interact with Kenyans in London.

However, those who had signed up for the meet through Eventbrite, an event management and ticketing website, received an alert on Thursday notifying them of the cancellation.

“Good evening, Thank you for registering to attend the Cocktail to be hosted by H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, PhD, EGH, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, scheduled for Friday 8th February 2019 from 1830hrs to 2000hrs in London. However, due to unavoidable circumstances, the event will not take place. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused,” the Kenya High Commission told those who had registered,” the notice reads.

Dr. Ruto’s communication team later revealed that he was forced to cancel the meeting as he has to return to Kenya.

The DP will have to jet back on Friday to ensure that he and his boss are not out of the country at the same time.

“He’s coming back…President leaves for Ethiopia morning Saturday so he can’t be away,” Dr. Ruto’s Communication Secretary David Mugonyi told Citizen Digital on phone.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to travel to Ethiopia for the 32nd Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government.

Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma has already arrived in Ethiopia ahead of the President.

— Amb. Monica Juma (@Diplomacy_Kenya) February 7, 2019

Back in London, the DP is still expected to give a public lecture on Kenya’s national unity and regional integration at Chatham House before his departure.

He has already met with several leaders including Penelope Mary Mordaunt (Portsmouth North MP) and George Hollingberry (MP for Meon Valley and Minister of State for Trade Policy at Department for International Trade).

Dr. Ruto welcomed Britain’s assurance that Brexit will not disrupt trade relations between the two countries.

“Continued engagement and use of technology to deepen collaboration on areas of mutual interest will boost our manufacturing sector; stimulate industry; drive the Big Four,” he said.

DP Ruto also met with members of the Eastern Africa Association (EAA) and urged business leaders to partner with Kenya in furthering the Big Four agenda.

High Commissioner of Kenya to the U.K. Manoah Esipisu said the DP’s visit will boost ties between the two countries in trade, investment and tourism.

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Ruto in London Uhuru Ethiopia

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