Kalonzo Makes Rare Visit To State House During Ruto Banquet [PHOTOS]
For Kalonzo, synonymous with the opposition side, Azimio la Umoja, this was his first visit to State House since President Ruto assumed office on September 13, 2022.
Wiper Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka became a surprise guest on Tuesday, September 5 at State House, Nairobi where President William Ruto hosted various heads of state and dignitaries who attended the Africa Climate Summit (ACS).
The inaugural ACS attracted blue-chip guests, among them the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), the President of the European Union, 20 Heads of State and Governments, and more than 16,000 delegates.
It has also brought together 12 former Heads of State and Governments and deputies, 66 ministers from different countries, and more than 20 leaders of international organisations, donor agencies, and development banks.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka together with Cabinet Secretaries Zachariah Mwangi (Lands), Kipchumba Murkomen (Transport) and Attorney General Justin Muturi at State House on September 5, 2023. /PCS
For Kalonzo, synonymous with the opposition side, Azimio la Umoja, this was his first visit to State House since President Ruto assumed office on September 13, 2022.
His appearance at the banquet was almost left unnoticed given that State House did not share some of the pictures capturing the former Vice President's appearance as is the norm on their social media handles, but some of the photos by the Presidential Communication Service (PCS) were eventually leaked onto social media.
The pictures obtained by Viral Tea captured Kalonzo having a chat with Lands Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Mwangi and his Transport counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen. He also posed for a photo with the CSs and Attorney General Justin Muturi.
Kalonzo's presence came on the very same day Azimio leader, Raila Odinga, attended the ACS at KICC, though Kalonzo did not show up at the event.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka chats with Cabinet Secretaries Zachariah Mwangi (Lands), Kipchumba Murkomen (Transport) and Attorney General Justin Muturi at State House on September 5, 2023. /PCS
It is worth it to note that on Sunday, September 3, he distanced himself from media reports that claimed the Azimio coalition now acknowledges President Ruto as Kenya's legitimately elected Head of State.
"I have noticed that a section of the media has in the last few hours misquoted my recent statement on the state of affairs in our country. Particularly on the legitimacy of the current regime," Kalonzo stated.
State Banquet
The state banquet was a celebration of the summit's success and an opportunity for attendees to network and discuss future collaborations.
During the same evening, President Ruto hosted the 22nd Extra-Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State.
The head of state said the imperative to focus greater effort on the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is necessary, appropriate, urgent and fully within our legitimate mandate as the country’s immediate neighbourhood.
He added that this pursuit for peace and stability in DRC is for the prosperity of all EAC member states.
Kalonzo Musyoka attends a state banquet at State House Nairobi for various heads of state and dignitaries who attended the Africa Climate Summit hosted by President William Ruto on September 5, 2023. /PCS