In what is now being termed a political circus, President William Ruto’s highly publicized meeting with Ukambani leaders at State House has taken an unexpected turn—after a majority of elected leaders snubbed the invite, the organizers quickly turned to Plan B: hire loyalists.
Channel 15 News can now reveal that the invitations were wgich were initially sent out by Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka Kawaya, a move that drew sharp criticism for bypassing formal State House protocol and ignoring key Ukambani powerbrokers like Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, Charity Ngilu, and the fast-rising Dr Augustus Kyalo Muli.
By yesterday evening, it was clear that the majority of Ukambani’s influential leaders had declined the invitation, citing what they termed as a blatant breach of protocol in how the invites were delivered—through third parties instead of official State House channels.
During the burial of his late uncle in Tseikuru, Kalonzo Musyoka made it clear that it wasn’t necessary for leaders from the Lower Eastern region to attend the event for President Ruto to understand the needs of his tax payers.
Dr Muli said “I cannot be part of a meeting that breaks protocol and sends invitations through third parties. That’s not how you build serious engagement.”
With most regional leaders opting out, organizers allegedly instructed the seven Ukambani MPs aligned with Kenya Kwanza to each bring 40 supporters—turning a leaders’ forum into what critics now call a “choreographed show of numbers.” Around 350 hired supporters from Ukambani were seen at State House today.
A political commentator observed that “It’s disrespectful to invite governors and top leaders through an MP, and then replace them with supporters when they decline. This shows either panic, or an intentional disregard for Ukambani’s political architecture.”
Still, President William Ruto used the meeting to push a message of unity and development, stating that Kenya cannot be transformed by making decisions that are merely convenient. He emphasized that Kenya can only change when leaders make difficult but right decisions, and called for building synergy to marshal resources for investments that will stimulate the growth of the economy.
He said the meeting resolved to expedite development projects in Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties.
But political analysts warn: the fallout from the botched outreach could deepen the rift between State House and mainstream Ukambani leadership, and raise bigger questions about how the presidency engages regional blocks that aren’t politically aligned with it.
