Etale explains why Raila arrived late at Mukami’s burial after Ruto was already seated

Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya party leader Raila Odinga broke protocol on Saturday, May 13, 2023, during the burial ceremony of Field Marshal and widow to Dedan Kimathi Mau Mau veteran Mukami Kimathi when he arrived after President William Ruto.

State functions have a strict arrival protocol in place where delegates must arrive in order of how seniority, meaning the President who is the most senior leader in the country, must arrive last.

However, over the weekend, Raila arrived after President William Ruto, rushing into the burial last and therefore broke proper protocol that drew criticism on social media.

While explaining Raila’s late arrival, Orange Democratic Movement party head of communications Philip Etale stated that Odinga’s takeoff at Wilson Airport was delayed since the schedule clashed with that of Ruto’s takeoff.

“Juvenile or not, but circumstances forced him to arrive late. His chopper was ready for takeoff from Wilson by 9:45 am. But then came a communication to the pilot stating that Harambee One that was carrying Ruto was taking off and had to wait,” Etale stated.

Juvenile or not, but circumstances forced him to arrive late. His chopper was ready for takeoff from Wilson by 9:45am. But then came a communication to the pilot stating that Harambee One that was carrying Ruto was taking off and had to wait. https://t.co/INj9td2Thd

— Philip Etale (@EtalePhilip) May 15, 2023

Mukami Kimathi was buried in her home in Njabini, Nyandarua County. She died on May 4 aged 94.