Ruto, Uhuru skip Raila's first anniversary memorial
President William Ruto and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta both skipped the first anniversary memorial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The absence highlights the growing political rift between the two leaders ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Why it matters
The public feud between Kenya's current and former presidents signals significant instability in the country's political landscape.
President William Ruto and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta skipped the first anniversary memorial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Thursday, October 15, as their escalating public feud threatened to overshadow a ceremony honouring one of Kenya's most influential political figures. The memorial, held at Migwena Cultural Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, marked one year since Raila's death on October 15, 2025. Last Week on October 7, President Ruto handed over the Raila Odinga Mausoleum at Kang'o ka Jaramogi to the family ahead of his first anniversary. However, the absence of the two leaders today was striking given their intertwined political histories with the former Prime Minister and the renewed exchanges between them over the direction of Kenya's politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in