By Mwibanda
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday made a rare public appearance alongside his successor, President William Ruto, and other top government officials at the consecration and installation of Rt. Reverend Peter Kimani as the new Bishop of Embu Diocese. This marks the first time Uhuru has shared the podium with Ruto in Kenya since retiring from office.
The event, held at Embu Catholic Church, was also attended by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who arrived first, accompanied by a group of his close allies from the Mount Kenya region. Ruto, alongside his Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, arrived shortly afterward, followed by Uhuru, who joined the other leaders for the ceremony.
The installation of Bishop Peter Kimani is a historic occasion not only for the Catholic Diocese of Embu but also for the political scene in Kenya, as it is the first time that all three key figures—Uhuru, Ruto, and Gachagua—have publicly gathered since the recent political shifts. Gachagua’s presence was particularly notable, as it marked his first public engagement with Ruto after his removal from office as Deputy President last month.
As is customary in such religious events, Gachagua made remarks drawing from biblical teachings, quoting from Matthew 9:37-38: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” He extended his congratulations to Bishop Kimani and wished him success in his new role as shepherd to the faithful in the region.
For Uhuru, this public appearance in Embu marks a rare occasion since his retirement. Since stepping down as president, he has largely stayed out of the political limelight, except for his involvement in regional peace efforts. His last major public appearance was in October at the 15th High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security, and Stability in Africa, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. However, his participation in the Embu ceremony signals a renewed presence at high-profile national events.
The ceremony was attended by hundreds of Catholic faithful, along with a host of political figures from the region, including Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, who also participated in the service.
The gathering in Embu is seen as a key moment in the ongoing political dynamics, with many eyes on Gachagua’s public comments and interactions with the other leaders, as he continues to navigate his new role after being ousted from office.
For now, the political community will be closely watching how the relationships between the former and current leadership evolve, as well as the implications of Gachagua’s re-engagement with the wider political arena.
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