Due to President William Ruto and his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, a former first lady and Uhuru Kenyatta’s mother, missed yesterday’s Madara Day celebrations for the first time in decades.
Throughout the presidency of his son, Uhuru Kenyatta, Mama Ngina was present on public holidays. Prior to Ruto taking office, Uhuru and his mother chose not to participate in the 2005 Madaraka Day celebrations organized by the late President Mwai Kibaki.
Political observers believe that Mama Ngina’s decision to forego this year’s Madaraka Day and Ruto’s inaugural celebration was prudent given the ill will between the Kenyattas and Ruto’s administration.
“The Kenyatta family’s relationship with Ruto deteriorated. The Kenyatta family and the present administrations have been engaged in an open conflict, according to political analyst Martin Andati.
Events leading up to the national holiday also created the conditions for Mama Ngina to veer from her custom.
After being accused of not paying taxes, the former first lady boldly challenged the government to seize her riches in February 2023.
Gachagua has launched a number of assaults against the Kenyatta Family since their election last year, accusing them of accumulating substantial amounts of land and dodging taxes.
After a group of youngsters attacked the Kenyatta family’s Northlands farm on March 27, the gulf between Ruto and the Kenyattas grew even wider.
Both Ruto and Uhuru have been fighting for leadership of the Jubilee Party; Ruto is associated with a faction led by EALA MP Kanini Kega, while Uhuru is led by Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni.
