Confusion in Kitui as Ruto suspends tour following Raila's death

President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the second day of the third National Executive Retreat at the KCB Leadership Centre in Kajiado County. [File, Standard]

The visit by president William Ruto to Ukambani which was to kick off in Kitui county yesterday was thrown into disarray following the death of former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

According to a schedule released earlier by statehouse operatives, the president was scheduled to land at Kwa Siku in Mwingi West where he was expected to commission tarmack works for Kwa Siku - Migwani - Mbondoni road before flying to Kitui East to commission Zombe - Mwitika road. Later in the day, the president was to commission another road in Machakos county.

However, confusion engulfed Kitui town around 9am when news of Odinga's demise started trickling in even as mobilized people made their way to Kwa Siku area to await the president.

By 10am, Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna (Wiper) who was to host the president after announcing his allegiance to Kenya Kwanza government was not aware if the president would still visit.

Not long after, the crowd that had been mobilized was told to disperse without being given specific details.

At Kitui Teachers Training College where the ministry of energy is holding energy week, statehouse digital communication director and head of special projects and creative economy Dennis Itumbi took to the podium to announce the change of plans.

"I wish to announce that today's schedule has been suspended. We shall give further directions tomorrow," Itumbi said without giving more details. By this time, everyone could tell the real reason for the change of plans.

Twenty minutes earlier, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi had landed at the teachers college to commission a gas storage facility established by the government. Immediately after he landed, the CS took off again, leaving the gathering confused.