President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, June 1, snubbed his deputy William Ruto during the Madaraka Day celebrations in an apparent escalation of their political rivalry ahead of the August General Election.

In breach of protocol at the national event held at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, the Head of State failed to acknowledge the DP’s presence at the function.

The President started by saluting Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Wonie Bio, who was the chief guest at the event, before skipping Ruto to acknowledge the Speakers of the National Assembly, Senate and Chief Justice Martha Koome.

He then went straight to his speech after a short address by the visiting Head of State.

A program seen by People Daily Digital did not have the name of the country’s second in command.

The President’s principal assistant is usually the de facto Master of Ceremony at such events. Normally, he invites high-profile guests and only hands the program over to the President in case there is a visiting head of state.

In his address, President Kenyatta stressed the Jubilee administration’s successes, urging Kenyans to ignore naysayers.

The President, indirectly, took a dig at the DP for questioning his development record insisting his scorecard is unmatched.

“On 9th of April 2013, I assumed office as the nation’s 4th President. Today, 9 years and 2 months later, my administration has built & strengthened our social fabric, making Kenya safer, healthier, fairer and just; a nation where justice is our shield and defender,” President Kenyatta said.

The President also drummed support for the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition presidential aspirant Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua, the main rivals of Ruto in the August State House contest.

President Kenyatta, whose 10-year reign lapses in August, lauded his cabinet for what he termed as exemplary service to the nation.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you, we have worked well together,” President Kenyatta said.

“It was a pleasure and an honour to have you with us and I am confident that we have laid a firm foundation for those who shall come after to continue a bigger and brighter Kenya from where we have left off. God bless Kenya.”