Who is the Deputy President? Photo of Uhuru, DP Ruto and CS Matiang'i sparks reactions

Miriam Mwende 11:38 - 16 October 2020

President Uhuru Kenyatta received at KWS Law Enforcement Academy in Manyani, Taita Taveta by Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and Deputy President Uhuru Kenyatta

Broken protocols?

Kenyans were on Friday baffled after it seemed that protocols had been broken in receiving President Uhuru Kenyatta in Taita Taveta county.

Photos shared by State House showed Interior CS Fred Matiang'i in the front line ahead of Deputy President William Ruto when the President's chopper landed.

DP Ruto was seen standing far off as the President greeted Dr Matiang'i first and proceeded to greet the DP later, a reverse of what is understood as the presidential protocols.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta received at KWS Law Enforcement Academy in Manyani, Taita Taveta by Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and Deputy President Uhuru Kenyatta

Some of those who questioned the violated protocol were DP Ruto's allies, who mocked Matiang'i calling him the second-in-command.

The Deputy President Fred Matiangi receiving the President thereafter introduce other Cabinet members. 😂😂😂Those of us who didn’t witness the last days of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta ‘will see things’ in the next 22 months. pic.twitter.com/WaaODjwVEo
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) October 16, 2020

In my many years of covering politics, no single action is black and white.
The third side of this coin is that DP could have deliberately done this so that this becomes the talking point. pic.twitter.com/l4nIIkDLdh
— Oliver Mathenge (@OliverMathenge) October 16, 2020

This is truly odd. Subversion of the Constitutional pecking order. History will judge some people very harshly. https://t.co/ysEsUmwIWJ
— David Makali (@davidmakali1) October 16, 2020

Body language and Protocol Experts to help us decipher the Manyani pictures: Look who first receives the president as he lands at the venue then look how DP Ruto is standing with hands behind his back ! Detached and by design or Humble and respectful? It is what it is, right ? pic.twitter.com/XvFFdxXkW1
— Fredrick Okango (@fokango) October 16, 2020

Using this photo as visual explainer,

Who is the deputy president of Kenya?

Fred Matiangi?
William Ruto? pic.twitter.com/QbcH9w3Vxh
— Saddique Shaban (@SaddiqueShaban) October 16, 2020

Uhuru Kenyatta